-- American jets started bombing ISIS targets in Syria early Tuesday, raising the U.S. involvement in the war-torn country and sending a forceful message to the terror group. The airstrikes took place in the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, a U.S. official told CNN. Its the first strikes against the terror group inside the country since President Barack Obamas announcement this month that he was prepared to expand the American efforts beyond targets in Iraq. All foreign partners participating in the strikes with the United States are Arab countries, a senior U.S. military official told CNN. Those nations are Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Diplomatic sources told CNN that Qatar was also involved, though it was not clear whether Qatar actually conducted airstrikes itself. Military: U.S. ready to strike ISIS in Syria Are Americans attempting to fight in Syria? Syrians cross into Turkey to flee ISIS Photos: Syrian civil war in 2014 Photos: Syrian civil war in 2014 Get the latest updates on CNNs live blog The U.S. and partner nation forces began striking ISIS targets using fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said, though he didnt specify a geographic location. Citing the ongoing operations, Kirby said the Pentagon would not provide additional details immediately. But a U.S. military official said the strikes are meant to target the ability of ISIS to command and control, resupply and train. Western allies reject ISIS leaders threats Tomahawk missiles launched from the sea initiated the strike, followed by bombers and fighters, a senior U.S. military official told CNN. The goal with this first move is to have an initial, definitive blow, the official said, describing the pace of the operation as intense. Most of the spots hit were hard targets, like buildings, a senior U.S. official told CNN. This is the punch in the nose to the bully that we talked about on the playground, former Delta Force officer James Reese said. ISIS is the bully, and we just punched him in the nose. Until now, ISIS has been able to take over cities and operate in Syria with near impunity. Now, its coming under attack. Finding the right rebels in Syria: One tough job With the airstrikes, the United States enters a new level of engagement in the ongoing Syrian civil war. Obama had resisted U.S. military action in Syria, but as the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq made sweeping advances in both Middle Eastern neighbors, calls for such a step grew. I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are, Obama said in a September 10 speech. That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 04:00:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015