‘Anti-terrorism’ allies meet in Baghdad as Iraq air force carries out strikes against ISIS in Syria

The Iraqi air force carried out strikes against ISIS inside Syria on Thursday as the remnants of the extremist group stir in both countries.

The air strikes were carried out in co-ordination with the Syrian government and were launched from inside Iraq’s borders, a military spokesman said.

Brig Gen Yahya Rasool said the attacks were carried out by two F16 Fighting Falcon jets, while the prime minister’s office said the targets were near the border.

Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi declared victory over ISIS in December after security forces seized the last pockets of Iraqi territory held by the militants.

But in recent months ISIS has carried out attacks in the north of Iraq, killing dozens of civilians in an offensive that could disrupt elections in May.

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, leaving the extremist group in control of nearly a third of Iraq.

The Iraqi air strikes were launched as military and security officials from Iraq, Iran, Syria and Russia met in Baghdad to co-ordinate “anti-terrorism” efforts, the Iranian Defence Ministry said.

“Cooperation in intelligence between the four countries for common aims and anti-terrorism missions has been successful in restoring stability and security, and it should form the basis for future cooperation,” Iranian Defence Minister Gen Amir Hatami said.

He said the coalition had played an “important role in the defeat” of ISIS in both Iraq and Syria.

Meanwhile, ISIS launched an attack near a town in eastern Syria they had lost six months ago, killing at least 25 government personnel, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

At least 13 militants were killed in the attack near Mayadeen on Wednesday afternoon, the Britain-based monitor said.

Mayadeen lies in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, on the western bank of the Euphrates River and is flanked by the vast Badia desert to its west and south.

Dozens of civilians have been killed by ISIS since Abadi declared victory