US-led strikes hit IS group as coalition grows

BEIRUT (AP) - American warplanes and drones hit Islamic State group tanks, Humvees, checkpoints and bunkers in airstrikes today targeting the extremists in Syria and Iraq, as the U.S.-led coalition expanded to include Britain, Denmark and Belgium. The European countries committed to take part only in the Iraq part of the military campaign, leaving the operation in Syria to the United States and five Arab allies who began conducting airstrikes there on Tuesday. Still, the broadening of the coalition provides a welcome boost for President Barack Obama and the American-led campaign.