US and Arab allies hit ISIS oil refineries

The U.S., Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates conducted 13 airstrikes in eastern Syria against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets on Wednesday. 

Those targets included 12 small-scale oil refineries seized by ISIS in remote areas of eastern Syria, U.S. Central Command said in a statement. 

{mosads}Wednesday was the second day of bombing in the U.S.-led efforts to target ISIS, as well as an al Qaeda offshoot known as the Khorasan Group in northern Syria. 

By selling oil on the black markets, the refineries provided fuel for ISIS operations and money to finance attacks in Iraq and Syria, and future operations. 

The refineries produced between 300 and 500 barrels of refined petroleum per day. These and other illicit enterprises generate as much as $2 million per day for the terrorist group, the statement said. 

“The destruction and degradation of these targets further limits ISIL’s ability to lead, control, project power and conduct operations,” Central Command said, using an alternate name for the group.

The strikes took place in the towns of Al-Mayadin, Al-Hasakah, and Abu Kamal and against one vehicle near Dayr az Zawr, also in eastern Syria, and were conducted by a mix of aircraft piloted by fighters and remotely.

The U.S. used fighter aircraft, and Saudi Arabia and the Emirates “also participated in these airstrikes,” the military said. 

“We are still assessing the outcome of the attack on the refineries, but have initial indications that the strikes were successful. The ISIL vehicle was destroyed,” the statement said.