By Reuters
(Haaretz) – The United States and partner nations are carrying out the first air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, the Pentagon said late Monday, in ongoing operations that mark the opening of a new, far more complicated front in battle against the militants.
“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,” Rear Admiral John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement. “Given that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time.”
ABC News reported that the fighters included B-1 bombers and for the first time in combat history, the controversial stealth F-22 Raptor.
At least 30 air strikes hit Islamic State targets in Syria by Tuesday morning, according to initial reports released.
A U.S. official told Reuters that five Arab partners were helping in the air strikes – Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. A diplomatic source told ABC that Qatar is also involved in the air strikes.
Up to 20 locations have been targeted, many of which are in the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria.
Obama authorized air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria almost two weeks ago and was briefed on U.S. war plans last week by the U.S. military’s Central Command. But Obama held off on approving those plans as diplomats pushed ahead with efforts to forge a coalition.
Earlier, Reuters reported that according to U.S. officials, President Barack Obama wants some Arab participation in air strikes against the Islamic State in order to expand the campaign to Syria.
The two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Arab participation was essential for Obama as he looked to expand the American campaign of air strikes to Syria from Iraq, where the U.S. military has already carried out 190 strikes as of Monday.
Several Arab countries have offered to join the United States in air strikes against Islamic State targets, a senior U.S. official told reporters on Sept. 14.
On Monday, the U.S. rejected a proposal floated by Iranian officials in which Tehran would cooperate in the fight against Islamic State forces in exchange for flexibility on its nuclear program.
