The United States and its Arab allies early Tuesday launched bombing raids against Islamic State militants in Syria, opening up a new front in the battle against the jihadist group after more than a month of US air strikes in Iraq.
"I can confirm that US military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL (the group labelling itself the Islamic State group) terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, bomber and Tomahawk land-attack missiles," spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said.
The decision to conduct the strikes was undertaken on Monday by the head of US Central Command, General Lloyd Austin, “under authorisation granted him by the commander in chief,” Kirby said.
The bombing raids came after President Barack Obama warned in a speech on September 10 that the United States was prepared to attack IS militants, also known as ISIS and ISIL, in Syria.
The strikes were aimed at the Islamic State's stronghold of Raqqa as well as near the Iraq border, with targets including weapons supplies and buildings used by the Sunni militant group, a US official told Reuters on Tuesday.
Military officials have said the US would target militants’ command and control centres, re-supply facilities, training camps and other key logistical sites.
“We will be prepared to strike ISIL targets in Syria that degrade ISIL’s capabilities,” Army General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told senators last week. “This won’t look like a shock-and-awe campaign, because that’s simply not how ISIL is organised, but it will be a persistent and sustainable campaign.
IS 'ready for battle'
Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said that the plan “includes targeted actions against ISIL safe havens in Syria, including its command and control logistics capabilities and infrastructure.” He said he and Dempsey approved the plan.
The US has also been increasing its surveillance flights over Syria, getting better intelligence on potential targets and militant movements. Military leaders have said about two-thirds of the estimated 31,000 Islamic State militants were in Syria.
Last week, as part of the newly expanded campaign, the US began going after militant targets across Iraq, including enemy fighters, outposts, equipment and weapons.
To date US fighter aircraft, bombers and drones have launched about 190 airstrikes within Iraq.
Urged on by the White House and US defence and military officials, Congress passed legislation late last week authorising the military to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels. Obama signed the bill into law Friday, providing $500 million for the US to train about 5,000 rebels over the next year.
US leaders have also been crisscrossing the globe trying to build a broad international coalition of nations, including Arab countries, to go after the Islamic State group and help train and equip the Iraqi security forces and the Syrian rebels.
The militant group, meanwhile, has threatened retribution. Its spokesman, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, said in a 42-minute audio statement released on Sunday that the fighters were ready to battle the US-led military coalition and called for attacks at home and abroad.
FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP, REUTERS
