Airstrikes kill 15 Islamic State leaders

BAGHDAD, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- At least 15 members of the Islamic State, including senior leaders, were killed in a U.S.-led coalition airstrike near Mosul, Iraq, part of a massive New Year's Eve bombing operation.

The leaders were attending a high-level meeting south of Mosul province when they were attacked, a security source confirmed to the Al Arabiya News Channel.

The airstrike was one of 29 on Iraqi and Syrian targets Wednesday and Thursday, the Combined Joint Task Force announced Thursday. Twelve attacks hit IS-controlled buildings and tactical units in the Iraqi cities of Mosul, Fallujah and Sinjar, and 17 more in Syria struck IS buildings, checkpoints and positions in Raqqa, Dier-al-Zour and Kobani.

Fighter planes, bombs and remote-controlled aircraft were involved in the attacks.

A key IS leader, Mohammed Salih al-Suwaidi, was also reportedly killed the Iraqi army in east of Fallujah, Iraq.