US Launches First Attacks Against IS In Syria

The US and five Arab countries have begun airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria.

The strikes were launched using fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles launched from US ships in the northern Persian Gulf and the Red Sea and form part of the expanded military campaign authorised by Barack Obama two weeks ago.


Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Bahrain were involved in the airstrikes a US official said, although their exact roles were unclear.

The US and five Arab countries have begun airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria.


The strikes were launched using fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles launched from US ships in the northern Persian Gulf and the Red Sea and form part of the expanded military campaign authorised by Barack Obama two weeks ago.


Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Bahrain were involved in the airstrikes a US official said, although their exact roles were unclear.


Barack Obama told the American people nearly two weeks ago there would be no safe havens for those who threaten America. He said he wouldn't hesitate to take action against Islamic State, whether they be in Iraq or Syria. And so it has proved.


Military planners went to work - identifying targets in Syria and assessing the threat that Syrian air defences might pose to US and other aircraft, while Secretary of State John Kerry toured the region maximising political and military support from other Arab nations.


That they have participated in this action is highly significant. But this is only a first step. The Pentagon acknowledges that air power alone will not defeat Islamic State, and crucial to that goal will be equipping and training the free Syrian Army.


In the coming hours and days we will learn which countries have participated and what targets have been hit. What we can say is that the campaign against Islamic State has now begun in earnest.