US President Barack Obama is set to announce a comprehensive strategy to degrade and destroy the Islamic State (IS), the feared al-Qaeda splinter terrorist group which has seized hundreds of square miles in Iraq and Syria and killed thousands of people in both the countries.
In his primetime address to the nation, he would also discuss about the international coalition, comprising of several dozen countries, which have joined the US in facing the being posed by the IS, according to a White House official.
"Tonight you will hear from the President how the United States will pursue a comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy IS, including US military action and support for the forces combating IS on the ground - both the opposition in Syria and a new, inclusive Iraqi government," a White House official said on condition of anonymity.
Obama is scheduled to address the nation tonight at 9 pm local Washington DC time (6:30 am local Indian time tomorrow).
"The President will discuss how we are building a coalition of Allies and partners in the region and in the broader international community to support our efforts, and will talk about how we work with the Congress as a partner in these efforts," the White House official said.
Obama, according to officials is prepared to use US military airstrikes in Syria as part of an expanded campaign to defeat the Islamic State.
He said this in his interaction with foreign policy experts on Monday and with Congressional leaders yesterday.
Obama is committed to taking the fight to the Islamic State "wherever their strategic targets are," Michele Flournoy, a former undersecretary of defense for policy who was among those at Monday's dinner was quoted as saying by The Washington Post.
IS is an al-Qaeda splinter group and it has seized hundreds of square miles in Iraq and Syria.
Al-Qaeda has distanced itself from the group, chiding it for its lack of teamwork in its aggressive, brutal expansion.
