US-led coalition hits ISIL in Syria after deadly cross-border shelling on Turkey's Kilis

DHA photo

The U.S.-led coalition hit Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets in northern Syria, located directly across Turkey's Syrian border from the southeastern province of Kilis, after receiving coordinates from Turkey on April 25. The air strikes came in response to a series of ISIL attacks on Kilis, which houses more Syrian refugees than its population.

A total of 17 people have died, while more than 50 others have been wounded in ISIL attacks since Jan. 18.

Coalition jets took off from the ?ncirlik air base in the southeastern province of Adana at 1 a.m., according to security sources. 

ISIL's coordinates were reportedly obtained from Turkey, after which the coalition decided to conduct air strikes upon an evaluation done by coalition countries. 

A large number of ISIL militants were killed and firing positions were destroyed in the air raids. 

Turkey has opened fire on ISIL targets a total of 5,330 times, mostly using artillery fire. Some 370 ISIL militants have been killed as a result, according to reports. 

A total of 492 ISIL militants have been killed in the 167 air strikes launched by the coalition conducted since Jan.9. 

Meanwhile, the Turkish army sent armored vehicles from the southeastern province of Gaziantep to Kilis after the attacks as reinforcement. The vehicles will be deployed across the ISIL-controlled Syrian al-Bab, to Elbeyli district of Kilis. 

Two people were killed and many others were wounded in two separate attacks on Kilis by ISIL militants on April 24. 

A total of 16 people, including children, were wounded when two rocket projectiles fired from Syria hit Kilis. 

Deputy Prime Minister Yalç?n Akdo?an was at the Governor's Office at the time of...

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