US Air Force A-10 Warthogs strike Islamic State fighters inside cave in Iraq
Aircraft part of a US-led coalition against so-called Islamic State have conducted a series of strikes on the group in Iraq.
Multiple strikes were carried out over a period of seven days by US and Iraqi forces on IS locations in the Hamrin mountains, northern Iraq, amid fears the group is becoming a growing threat.
F-15s, F-16s and A-10s were all used in strikes after IS fighters engaged coalition forces on "several occasions", the US Central Command (Centcom) said.
The A-10s were tasked specifically with providing support to ground forces and were successful in eliminating militants within a cave.
US forces added one coalition service member died and another two were wounded during the operations against IS.
The personnel were from two unnamed nations, with Centcom adding no US troops were injured.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces captured an IS attack cell leader after an operation near Dayr az-Zawr in eastern Syria.
The operation, which happened last week but has only just been announced, was enabled by US forces, according to a statement.
The operations are part of the ongoing Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS) campaign and aim to "disrupt and degrade" the group's ability to "plan, organise, and conduct attacks" against civilians, the US and its allies and partners in the region and beyond, the post said.
It added the US and members of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF - OIR) maintain a continuous commitment to defeating IS.
The UK has been a major contributor to the coalition through Operation Shader which is drawing to a close.
General Michael Erik Kurilla, Centcom Commander, said the recent operations are vital to keep pressure on IS and not allow them to benefit or take advantage of any instability in the region.
"The enduring defeat of ISIS is a global effort that relies on our coalition, allies, and partners," he said.
"US Central Command remains committed to aggressively pursuing these terrorists that threaten the region, our allies, and our citizens."
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