(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The Pentagon announced late Monday that it had begun a campaign of airstrikes against ISIL targets inside Syria.
"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," said Spokesperson Rear Admiral John Kirby in a statement.
"The decision to conduct these strikes was made earlier today by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander under authorization granted to him by the commander in chief," he added. "We will provide more details later as operationally appropriate." While no named government officials have confirmed it publicly, several US media outlets are reporting that five Arab countries are among the "partner nations" taking part in the airstrikes - Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan.
The operation have not been authorized by Congress or the United Nations.
Almost an hour before the Pentagon's announcement, Twitter users in the northern Syrian cities of Reqqa and Idlib began tweeting about hearing unusually large explosions, noting the attacks appear to be on ISIL strongholds.
The terror group currently controls one-third of the combined landmass of Syria and Iraq.
Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to meet with leaders of the Arab Gulf states who are part of the anti-ISIL coalition in New York on Tuesday. Meanwhile President Barack Obama is expected to discuss the military operation in Syria when he delivers remarks at the Climate Summit of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly the same day.
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