Iraqi jets strike ISIS command centre in Syria

Iraq's Abadi says he would 'take all necessary measures if they threaten the security of Iraq'

(FILES) This file photo taken on October 05, 2017 shows Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi giving a press conference in Paris.
Abadi announced on December 9, 2017, "the end of the war" in Iraq against the Islamic State group and that his forces had regained full control of the border with Syria. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / ludovic MARIN
Powered by automated translation

The Iraqi Air Force launched a strike at an ISIS position in Syria on Monday, as the extremist group intensifies its attacks in both countries.

Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi ordered the strike, which destroyed a building used as a command and logistics support centre by the group near the border, a military statement said.

Brig Gen Yahya Rasool Abdullah added that the strikes were carried out by F16 fighter jets.

The Iraqi Air Force has carried out a number of strikes against the insurgents in Syria since last year, with the approval of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad's government and the US-led coalition fighting the terror group.

Mr Al Abadi declared victory over ISIS in December after security forces seized the last pockets of Iraqi territory held by the militants. But recent months have seen ISIS carry out attacks in the north, killing dozens of civilians in an offensive that could disrupt elections in May.

Read more: Iraqi air strike targets ISIS position in Syria, Abadi says

Last month, the premier said he would "take all necessary measures if they threaten the security of Iraq", referring to the militants who just three years ago overran a third of the country.

Mr Al Abadi is seeking another term after taking office in September 2014, nearly four months after the Iraqi army collapsed in the face of an ISIS assault.

Iraq has good relations with Iran and Russia, Mr Al Assad's main backers in the seven-year-old civil war, while also enjoying strong support from the US-led coalition fighting ISIS.