Special to WorldTribune.com

Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon

Members of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) are fleeing Syria for safer positions in Iraq, as rival Syrian Al Qaida forces also began moving their forces to avoid U.S. bombing attacks, according to U.S. officials and reports from the region.

Additionally, post-strike intelligence indicates both terror groups are trying to hide their locations and are avoiding electronic communications to avoid being attacked in the ongoing U.S.-led missile and aerial bombing campaign.

The movement and concealment efforts by both groups began after Monday’s opening bombing campaign of 47 cruise missile and aerial attacks have continued with strikes on ISIL-held oil facilities in Syria.

“As we continue our operations from the air, I also want to emphasize that no one is under any illusions—under any illusions—that airstrikes alone will destroy ISIL,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters at the Pentagon on Friday. He said other diplomatic and intelligence efforts were underway.

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  ISIL hides among civilians after U.S. air strikes, LIFE, WorldTribune.com