WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US-led forces have targeted Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants with eight air strikes in Syria and nine in Iraq since early on Friday, the US military said on Saturday.

In Syria, the air strikes hit ISIS positions near Al Hasakah and Kobani, the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement.

In Iraq, they hit the Islamists' positions near Bayji, Mosul and Fallujah, among other places, it said.