Australian fighter jets have carried out their first air strikes on Islamic State targets inside Syria, according to a statement issued by the US military.
Three air strikes were conducted in the country, including one on an oil collection point, another on an IS tactical unit and a third on an IS armoured personnel carrier, the statement said.
The statement, issued by the Combined Joint Task Force in charge of Operation Inherent Resolve, said Australia was one of the nations that carried out the air strikes inside Syria.
The other countries listed as having taken part to date were Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE and the US.
The statement also listed 15 air strikes which had been carried out against IS in Iraq.
Last week, the Federal Government announced that Australia’s air campaign against IS would be expanded beyond Iraq to include parts of Syria, where Islamic State militants have seized large areas of territory amid a raging civil war.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has promised to continue military support for the Assad government in Syria and urged other countries to follow suit. US and Europe have been voicing concern over Russia’s escalating military support in the Middle Eastern nation.
More to come.
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
