Arkivbild, AC-130. (Jack Braden / TT NYHETSBYRÅN)

USA bombade IS oljetransporter

För första gången har amerikanska bombflyg slagit till mot IS största inkomstkälla, oljan. Enligt the NY Times har man bombat 116 lastbilar som använts till att smuggla råolja genom Syrien.
Attacken skedde enligt tidningen i östra Syrien nära gränsen mot Irak, i ett område som heter Deir Ezzor. Räden genomfördes med fyra attackflygplan och två AC-130 bombflygplan.

bakgrund
 
Lockheed AC-130
Wikipedia (en)
The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily armed, long-endurance ground-attack aircraft. It carries a wide array of anti-ground oriented weapons that are integrated with sophisticated sensors, navigation, and fire-control systems. Unlike other military fixed-wing aircraft, the AC-130 relies on visual targeting. Because of its large profile and because it operates at low-altitude (roughly 7,000 ft) it usually flies close air support missions at night. It is a variant of the C-130 Hercules transport. The airframe is manufactured by Lockheed Martin, while Boeing is responsible for the conversion into a gunship and for aircraft support. The AC-130A Gunship II superseded the AC-47 Gunship I during the Vietnam War. The sole user is the United States Air Force, which uses AC-130U Spooky and AC-130W Stinger II variants for close air support, air interdiction, and force protection, with AC-130J Ghostrider in development. Close air support roles include supporting ground troops, escorting convoys, and urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against planned targets and targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include defending air bases and other facilities. AC-130Us are based at Hurlburt Field, Florida, while AC-130Ws are based at Cannon AFB, New Mexico; gunships can be deployed worldwide. The squadrons are part of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), a component of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Weaponry is mounted to fire from the port side of the non-pressurised aircraft. During an attack the gunship performs a pylon turn, flying in a large circle around a target, allowing it to fire for far longer than conventional attack aircraft. The AC-130H Spectre was armed with two 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannons, one Bofors 40mm autocannon, and one 105 mm M102 cannon; after 1994 the 20 mm cannons were removed for most missions. The upgraded AC-130U "Spooky" has a single 25 mm GAU-12 Equalizer in place of the Spectre's twin 20 mm cannons, an improved fire control system, and increased ammunition capacity. New AC-130Js based on the MC-130J Combat Shadow II special operations tanker were planned as of 2012. The AC-130W is armed with one 30 mm Bushmaster cannon, AGM-176 Griffin missiles, and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs.
karta

Detta har hänt

• Enligt åklagare på lördagen dog minst 132 människor i attackerna. Över 300 är skadade. Tillståndet för ett hundratal av dem är kritiskt och dödssiffran kan stiga. De flesta offren dog i attacken i konserthuset Bataclan.
• Det rör sig om ett flertal attacker i Paris som antas ha varit koordinerade. Tre team av terrorister tros ha utfört dem.
• En svensk ska ha dödats och en skottskadats, enligt uppgifter till UD.
• Vid 22-tiden på fredagen kom det första larmet, då om skottlossning på en restaurang i det 10:e arrondissementet. Attacker på fler barer och restauranger följde.
• Självmordsattentat genomfördes vid nationalarenan Stade de France.
• President Hollande har utlyst undantagstillstånd och infört skärpta gränskontroller.
• Sju terrorister uppges vara döda.

Omni är politiskt obundna och oberoende. Vi strävar efter att ge fler perspektiv på nyheterna. Har du frågor eller synpunkter kring vår rapportering? Kontakta redaktionen