US, Arab Partners Launch Air Strikes against Islamic State in Syria | WPN World People News

The United States and a group of five Arab countries have carried out air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria.

A statement Tuesday from U.S. Central Command said 14 air strikes overnight damaged or destroyed targets in four areas of eastern Syria, including in the Islamic State group's main stronghold of Raqqa.

It said Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates either participated in or supported the attacks, which hit training compounds, militant headquarters and a finance center.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the airstrikes killed or wounding tens of militants.

Pentagon spokesman Jeff Pool told VOA late Monday the strikes involved fighter planes, bombers and ships at sea firing cruise missiles.

“I can confirm that U.S. 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. Given that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time. The decision to conduct these strikes was made early today by the U.S. Central Command commander under authorization granted to him by his commander in chief. We will provide more details later as operationally appropriate,” said Pool.

Syria's foreign ministry said the United States informed its ambassador to the United Nations about the strikes before they took place. U.S. officials warned the Syrian government not to interfere with any U.S. air action against the militants.

The head of the main Western-backed Syrian opposition coalition welcomed the air strikes, saying the international community has joined their fight against the Islamic State group.

The U.S. Central Command statement also said American forces alone conducted eight separate air strikes west of Aleppo against former al-Qaida fighters known as the Khorasan Group. It said that action was in response to an "imminent" plot against U.S. and Western interests.

President Barack Obama announced in a speech on September 10 that he had authorized the expanded use of air strikes against the Islamic State, including in Syria.

In the past week, the advance by the Islamic State has also included Kurdish areas in northern Syria, along the Turkish border, leading to more than 130,000 people crossing into Turkey to escape the militants.

The U.S. has already been targeting the Islamic State in Iraq, conducting 190 airstrikes against the group. These strikes have helped Iraqi and Kurdish forces push the militant extremists away from vulnerable populations and government infrastructure.

Australia welcomes airstrikes

Canberra has pledged military support in the international effort to stop the advance of Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.

Speaking Tuesday in the Australian parliament, Prime Minister Tony Abbott praised the effort, saying an international effort was needed to combat the Islamic State threat.

“This is a global problem. There are many hundreds of British citizens fighting with terrorist groups in the Middle East. There are hundreds of French citizens, there are hundreds and hundreds of people from Southeast Asia who are fighting with these terrorist groups in the Middle East. These are people who have been radicalized and brutalized, and could become potential terrorists in their home countries,” said Abbott.

Australia has promised to contribute 600 troops and eight warplanes to the effort against Islamic State.

Abbott is due to leave for New York Tuesday ahead of UN Security Council meetings on Iraq and Syria later this week.

The Abbott government has reaffirmed its pledge to “degrade and destroy” Islamic State. A threat issued this week by the militants to kill Australians is being treated as genuine by security agencies in Canberra.

Police officers armed with assault rifles are now seen on guard outside Parliament House in Canberra, while government buildings, famous tourism landmarks and sporting events are now under tighter security.

Australia raised its domestic terror threat level from medium to high earlier this month because of concerns that radicalized citizens returning from conflicts in the Middle East could plan attacks at home. Intelligence officials estimate 60 Australian nationals are fighting alongside radical groups in the Middle East.

This week, 25 properties in Sydney and Brisbane were raided in Australia’s biggest counter-terrorism operation. Two people have been charged with serious terrorism offences.

Israel shoots down Syrian jet

The Israeli military has shot down a Syrian fighter jet over the Golan Heights.

The military said it fired a Patriot surface-to-air missile at the jet Tuesday after it crossed into Israeli airspace.

Syrian state media quoted a military source as confirming the attack, saying Israel was acting in support of Islamic State militants and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.

Syrian forces have been battling militants from both groups, particularly Nusra fighters in the Golan Heights area in the country's ongoing civil war.

Tuesday's incident comes three weeks after Israel shot down a drone that entered its airspace in Golan.

Source: Voice of America