Fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria has now cost more than $2.4 billion since President Barack Obama authorized sending U.S. forces there last June,
Military.com reports.
According to the Pentagon, the United States has 2,875 troops in Iraq, and U.S. warplanes have conducted 2,893 airstrikes – hitting 5,314 targets –since bombing began Aug. 8, 2014, the website reports.
The strikes by U.S. forces amounted to about 80 percent of the total number carried out by a multinational coalition.
More than 60 countries are in the coalition against the Islamic State. The United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom conduct airstrikes in Iraq. The United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates carry them out in Syria.
The anti-ISIS fight's cost through March 12 was $1.83 billion, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said, adding that daily costs have gone up to about $8.5 million daily, an increase from about $1 million daily last summer.
Adding daily spending to the campaign costs through Thursday would put the total at more than $2.4 billion, Military.com reports.
The Pentagon tally on the fight against ISIS, known as "Operation Inherent Resolve," shows airstrikes have destroyed 73 tanks, 282 Humvees, 85 armored personnel carriers, 47 artillery pieces and more than 1,000 technical and miscellaneous vehicles, the website reports.
At least 58 boats were also destroyed. Military.com explains that ISIS is known to use small boats to move supplies on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
The Pentagon also says the airstrikes have destroyed nearly 1,500 buildings used by ISIS for communications, supplies, logistics, and command and control, Military.com reports.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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