The U.S. military has increased airstrikes in Iraq fivefold this year, according to military statistics.
The United States and its allies launched 1,140 airstrikes in Iraq in the first nine months of this year compared with 229 in all of last year, said statistics reported by the USA Today Monday.
Airstrikes are up in Afghanistan, too. The U.S. military and its NATO allies have made 2,764 bombing runs this year, up from 1,770 last year.
The increasing use of air power reflects a steep escalation in combat operations aimed at al-Qaida and other militants, U.S. analysts said.
It also stems from improved accuracy and smaller munitions that allow commanders to launch airstrikes against insurgents who travel in small groups and sometimes hide among civilians, they said.
However, the enhanced airstrikes caused more civilian casualties and incurred criticism from the international community.
The U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan this year allegedly killed dozens of civilians, angering the population and drawing criticism from Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Source: Xinhua
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