DHAKA: The US-led coalition has inflicted serious damage on Islamic State (IS), carrying out around 1,000 air strikes so far in the two countries, but the fight against the militants could last years.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday, reports The Straits Times.

The United States and its allies began air strikes against ISIS after the Sunni militants made large territorial advances last summer.

The Iraqi army, Sunni tribal fighters and Kurdish forces have since recovered some ground against them.

‘Our commitment will be measured most likely in years but our efforts are already having a significant impact,’ Kerry said at the start of a first meeting of ministers from a coalition of more than 60 countries that Washington has assembled to destroy IS, which is also known as Daesh.

‘The roughly 1,000 coalition air missions we have flown have reduced Daesh’s leadership and inflicted damage on its logistical and operational capabilities.’

BDST: 1822 HRS, DEC 03, 2014