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Islamic State Militants Change Tactics In Face Of US Airstrikes in Iraq

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Islamic State militants are changing tactics wary of US airstrikes in Iraq, abandoning headquarters, using less cellphones, Al Arabiya reported Saturday.

MOSCOW, September 27 (RIA Novosti) - Islamic State militants are changing tactics wary of US airstrikes in Iraq, abandoning headquarters, using less cellphones, Al Arabiya reported Saturday.

"They took all their furniture, vehicles and weapons. Then they planted roadside bombs and destroyed the headquarters," said the tribal sheikh who was quoted by Al Arabiya.

"They don't move in military convoys like before. Instead they use motorcycles, bicycles, and if necessary, they use camouflaged cars," he added.

The militants have erected their black flags on the rooftops of civilian buildings to create confusion about their presence.

"They have also increased the number of headquarters, instead of two, they now have 20, with only 3-4 people in each one of them," said the eyewitness in Jalawla town in Diyala.

According to the witnesses, the US-led airstrikes have not frightened the Islamists. Instead, they now head towards a strategically important town on northern Syria's border with Turkey.

According to Al Arabiya, possible civilian causalities are a matter of concern as US fighter jets get deeper into the country.

The United States launched airstrikes against the IS fighters in Iraq back in August, following the jihadists' rapid advance in the country's North. The move has been later backed by France, Belgium, Denmark and the United Kingdom.

Earlier in September, US President Barack Obama outlined a strategy on fighting the IS and other terrorist groups in the Middle East. The plan implied the establishment of a multinational coalition to counter terrorism in the region.

Since the beginning of the week, Washington has been carrying out strikes against the IS and other insurgents on the Syrian territory, without any formal permission from Damascus.

Various international experts argued that Obama's plan is ineffective, as a professional army, such as the IS, will find a way to deal with the airstrikes.

Up to 50,000 militants are believed to be currently fighting for the IS.

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