SYRIA — United States officials announced on Monday that an airstrike was carried out in an area between Al-Hasakah and Dayr Az Zawr in Syria over the weekend, according to AFP. The U.S. is targeting the Islamic State's oil-smuggling operations in a bid to cripple the terrorist group by cutting off its main source of revenue.

A-10 air-to-ground attack planes and AC-130 gunships were deployed to target ISIS-owned fuel tankers and their oil-smuggling infrastructure, which together nets the terrorist group an estimated US$695 million a year.

Officials do not believe those driving the tankers were jihadists. Leaflets were dropped and warning shots were fired to warn them to leave the area before missiles were launched to destroy oil production facilities and some 283 fuel trucks. The Pentagon stated that there appeared to be no civilian casualties.

The airstrike comes on the heels of a similar mission less than a week ago that resulted in the destruction of 116 tankers, reports the BBC.

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