US and ‘partners’ launch airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria

The US military and partner nations from the anti-ISIS coalition have launched the first attacks on Islamic State targets in Syria, the Pentagon has confirmed.

The airstrikes against the Islamic State targets are currently underway in Syria, according to a Pentagon official.The strikes on targets in Syria reportedly involve a mix of fighter, bomber, and tomahawk land attack missiles.

“I can confirm that US military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL (ISIS/IS) terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, bomber and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles,” Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement.

US military & partner nation forces have begun striking ISIL targets in Syria using mix of fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles.

— Rear Adm. John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) September 23, 2014

“The decision to conduct theses strikes was made earlier today by the US Central Command commander under authorization granted him by the commander in chief. We will provide more details later as operationally appropriate,” he added.

According to NBC News, the US military is planning to attack up to 20 targets in Syria, including“training sites, headquarters of Sunni fighters and troop encampments.”

A US official told ABC News that up to 20 locations have been targeted in the airstrikes in and around Raqqa. Tomahawk missiles have been fired from at least one ship in the Red Sea. The source also said that Arab nations participating in the airstrikes will be dropping bombs. According to Jonathan Karl, chief White House correspondent for ABC News, five Arab nations are taking part in the first round of airstrikes in Syria: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

CENTCOM says the decision to conduct airstrikes was made under authorization granted by the US president.

The decision to conduct these strikes was made earlier today by CENTCOM commander under authorization granted him by the president.

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 23, 2014

The Pentagon will not provide further details on the operation “until later,” according to Reuters. The strikes are believed to be carried out without the consent of Damascus.

U.S. military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL terrorists in Syria. — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 23, 2014

Given that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time. — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 23, 2014The attack follows President Obama’s speech earlier this month, during which he said that the US was prepared to “conduct a systematic campaign of airstrikes” against Islamic State terrorists “wherever they are.”

The attack follows President Obama’s speech earlier this month, during which he said that the US was prepared to “conduct a systematic campaign of airstrikes” against Islamic State terrorists “wherever they are.”

“That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL (ISIS/IS) in Syria as well as Iraq,” Obama said on September 10. The US military has already carried out over 200 strikes on Islamic State targets in Iraq.

US, partner nations bomb #ISIS militants in #Syria: Pentagon – See more at http://t.co/pb6OLTZiPp pic.twitter.com/UKxiT0ejm3

— ST Foreign Desk (@STForeignDesk) September 23, 2014

RT.com report reprinted with permission.