U.S., allies conduct 14 air strikes in Syria, Iraq - statement

A U.S.-led coalition aircraft flying over Kobanii, as seen near the Mursitpinar border crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern town of Suruc in Sanliurfa province, October 18, 2014. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/Files

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and coalition forces conducted five air strikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria and nine in Iraq since early Sunday, the U.S. military said on Monday. In Syria, the strikes near Kobani hit a tactical unit and an oil refinery, and also destroyed seven fighting positions and a vehicle, the military said in a statement. In Iraq, strikes hit tactical units, vehicles, a storage facility and a bunker near Kirkuk, Tal Afar, Al Qaim, Fallujah and Haditha, the statement said. (Reporting by Emily Stephenson; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli)