Islamic Militants Hit By U.S. Airstrikes Inside Syria

oge okonkwo

September 23, 2014 4:20 PM

It was gathered that foreign partners participating in the strikes with the United States are Arab countries, like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan

American Jets began bombing ISIS targets in Syria early Tuesday, which raises U.S. involvement in the war-torn country and sending a forceful message to the terror group.

CNN reports that the airstrikes focused on the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, according to reports from an official though other locations were hit as well.

At least 20 targets in an around Raqqa were hit, the opposition group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

They're the first strikes against the terror group inside the country since President Barack Obama's announcement this month that he was prepared to expand the American efforts beyond targets in Iraq.

It was gathered that foreign partners participating in the strikes with the United States are Arab countries, like Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

Diplomatic sources told CNN that Qatar was also involved, though it was not clear whether Qatar actually conducted airstrikes itself.

The U.S. and "partner nation forces" began striking ISIS targets using fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said, though he didn't specify a geographic location.

Citing the ongoing operations, Kirby said the Pentagon would not provide additional details immediately. But a U.S. military official said the strikes are meant to target the ability of ISIS to command and control, resupply and train.

Tomahawk missiles launched from the sea initiated the strike, followed by bombers and fighters, a senior U.S. military official told CNN.

The goal with this first move is to have an initial, definitive blow, official said, describing the pace of the operation as intense.

Most of the spots hit were hard targets such as buildings, a senior U.S. official told CNN.

A post office, a recruitment center and a building in the governor's compound were among the structures in Raqqa hit by U.S. airstrikes, Syrian opposition activists said.

There was no immediate word about casualties, the activists said.

Power went out in the city shortly after the airstrikes but was restored later Tuesday morning.

oge okonkwo