WASHINGTON
The U.S. intensified airstrikes in and around the northern Syrian town of Kobani on Wednesday as the door-to-door conflict in the city continues between ISIL militants and Kurdish militias.
While the Kurdish populated town is believed to be on the verge of falling to the terror group, the U.S.-led coalition has been constantly striking the group’s targets in an around Kobani.
According to U.S. Central Command, U.S. fighter jets conducted 18 airstrikes in and on the outskirts of the city; destroyed multiple ISIL fighting positions and successfully struck 16 ISIL occupied buildings.
"In Iraq, one airstrike near Haditha Dam destroyed one ISIL armed vehicle and one ISIL guard shack," said a Centcom statement. "Four airstrikes near Bayji destroyed an ISIL building, an ISIL Humvee, and an ISIL machine gun, and damaged an ISIL artillery piece."
Haditha Dam in Anbar province is a strategic point where ISIL is poised to take control, according to Central Command. Bayji is an oil rich town in the northern Kirkuk province.
ISIL militants have recently began to move into the capital of Baghdad and plunged into Anbar province in the face of airstrikes and struggles by Iraqi troops.
Also on Wednesday, Centcom announced that "Operation Inherent Resolve" has been officially designated as the name given to U.S. military operations against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.
"The operation name applies retroactively to all U.S. military actions conducted against ISIL in Iraq and Syria since airstrikes against ISIL began Aug. 8 in Iraq," said a Centcom statement.
The name is intended "to reflect the unwavering resolve and deep commitment of the U.S. and partner nations in the region and around the globe to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to Iraq, the region and the wider international community," Centcom said. "It also symbolizes the willingness and dedication of coalition members to work closely with our friends in the region and apply all available dimensions of national power necessary - diplomatic, informational, military, economic - to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL."
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