Islamic State tanks destroyed in Syria

United States led air strikes have destroyed four Islamic State tanks during a fourth nights of bombardment over Syria, the Pentagon said. The tanks were destroyed in the oil-rich Deir al-Zour province.

The Pentagon said that it also carried out seven further air strikes on Islamic State targets in Iraq, including one on the outskirts of the nation’s capital Baghdad. The strikes were carried out by a ‘mix of fighter, attack and remotely piloted aircraft’ and destroyed nine IS vehicles and damaged others

The Islamic State is currently advancing on the Syrian border town of Kobane just metres away from the Turkish border, Reuters reports. Hundreds of protestors crossed the border from Turkey into Syria to help defend the town.

Denmark said that it is sending seven F-16 fighter jets to join attacks against the Islamic State in Iraq but not in Syria. The UK Parliament will vote on possible air strikes in Iraq on Friday.

The Islamic State controls large swathes of land in north-eastern Syria and northern Iraq, including the key city of Mosul. As a response to previous US- air strikes, the Islamic State beheaded three Western hostages.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the Syria conflict, said the new strikes caused casualties but that the exact number was unclear.

Western air strikes have been targeting oil facilities under Islamic State control in Iraq and Syria to reduce its finances. It is estimated to be earning around $2m a day from oil sales.