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US expands airstrikes against ISIS in Syria

Launches strikes against an array of targets of the militant group in the region

Press Trust of India Washington
Last Updated : Sep 23 2014 | 9:18 AM IST
The US and its allies have expanded their war against the Islamic State by launching aggressive airstrikes against an array of targets of the militant group in Syria, the Pentagon has said.

"I can confirm that US military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, bomber and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said yesterday.

However, he did not give details of the airstrikes, arguing that operations are still ongoing.

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"The decision to conduct theses strikes was made earlier today (Monday) by the US Central Command commander under authorisation granted him by the commander in chief," Kirby said.

President Obama and other US leaders had recently said that they would order airstrikes against Islamic State (also known as ISIL) strongholds in Syria. ISIL as per CIA estimates has up to 31,000 fighters at its disposal.

The IS controls much of eastern Syria and has used its bases there as a springboard for seizing territory in neighboring Iraq.

On August 8, Obama launched airstrikes in Iraq against IS and since then has been building support for a coalition.

The IS stunned the international community in June when it swept through regions of northern Iraq, capturing the major cities of Mosul and Tikrit and halting less than 50 kilometres from Baghdad.

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First Published: Sep 23 2014 | 8:45 AM IST

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