Anti-ISIL forces made gains in Iraq and Syria

The US has seen Iraqi security forces (ISF) and other anti-ISIL forces "make some gains in several parts of Iraq and Syria." over the last 24 to 36 hours, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said Tuesday.
Kirby cited to reporters that in Central Iraq, ISF operations have made progress by expanding Iraqi control of territory beyond the Baiji oil refinery. ISF also advanced against ISIL in Amraiyah and southwest Baghdad.
In Northern Iraq, Kirby noted that Peshmerga force regained control on Zumar and surrounding areas in what was planned to take a week but was accomplished in "a number of days.
"While we recognize that a major Iraqi offensive against ISIL may still be a ways off, these are encouraging reports that highlight Iraq's determination to take the fight to ISIL," said Kirby.
In Syria, he noted, "Kobane remains tenuous, with ISIL continuing to put pressure on that city and anti-ISIL forces continuing to hold out." Kirby stressed, "It's important to point out that ISIL remains a very determined enemy. They continue to reinforce areas where they've been losing ground, such as Kobane." The Pentagon lastly indicated that yesterday US Air Force aircraft conducted an airdrop of humanitarian aid containing more than 7,000 halal meals to members of Iraq's Abu Nimer tribe in the vicinity of Al-Assad Air Base.