US BEGINS BOMBING ISIL STRONGHOLDS IN SYRIA

The attacks are reported to have targeted Raqqa, the military stronghold of ISIL. (Photo: Al Jazeera)

Washington, 28 Dzulqa’dah 1435/23 September 2014 (MINA) – The United States has said it and its allies have begun bombing positions held by ISIL in Syria, the first such attacks since forming a coalition to confront the group.

The attacks began at about 00.30 GMT on Tuesday, with the first wave of about 20 strikes taking about 90 minutes. Other waves were expected in the coming hours.

“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,” a spokesman for the department of defence said, Al Jazeera quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“The decision to conduct theses strikes was made earlier today by the US central command commander under authorisation granted him by the commander in chief. We will provide more details later as operationally appropriate.”

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The US did not confirm what was targeted, but reports on social media stated that areas of Raqqa – the ISIL stronghold in Syria – were hit.

The AP quoted an unnamed official as saying the strikes were conducted by the US, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE. Official US statements have not mentioned those allies by name, and as yet none have confirmed their involvement.

The attacks come just two weeks after the US formed a coalition to confront the ISIL group, which has taken over large areas of Syria and Iraq and declared a “caliphate”.

The coalition includes Nato, non-members including Australia and Arab nations.

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The US president, Barack Obama, said on September 10 that an expanded campaign would degrade and ultimately destroy the group.

The attacks also come a day after ISIL’s spokesman, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, called on supporters of the group to attack foreigners wherever they are.

Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan, reporting from Baghdad, said the timing of the coalition’s attacks must been seen in the context of ISIL’s announcement.

“This was a doctrinal shift by ISIL, previously they maintained they weren’t at war with the US and its allies and that their key goal was to strengthen the caliphate.” (T/P001/P3)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)