US steps up war on IS as three EU states join it
A formation of US Navy F-18E Super Hornets in flight after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over northern Iraq, on September 23. These aircraft were part of a large coalition strike package that was the first to strike IS targets in Syria. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
- Pentagon roots for local ground boots to hit terror group where it hurts
- Ahead of the vote, PM David Cameron told lawmakers that IS must be confronted.
WASHINGTON, Saturday
US aircraft were flying “near continuous” bombing raids against Islamic State militants in Syria, officials said late Friday, after Britain and two more EU nations agreed to join the US-led air armada.
The mission is now similar to US-led air raids undertaken in Iraq, with “near continuous” combat flight operations over Syria, a senior US defence official said.
“I can confirm US air operations are ongoing in Syria,” the official added.
Belgium, Britain and Denmark earlier approved plans to join the war in the air, but Washington warned that up to 15,000 “moderate” rebels would need to be trained and armed to beat back the militants in Syria, where they have set up their de facto capital.
The Pentagon said air strikes — which continued for a fifth day in Syria — had disrupted lucrative oil-pumping operations that have helped fund the militants, but that a final victory, perhaps years away, would need local boots on the ground.
The White House welcomed the new European countries recruited to the Iraq operation, who are expected to add a total of 19 fighter jets in the air campaign over the country.
That would free up more US air power to strike targets in Syria, where American jets are already flying with warplanes from four allied Arab countries.
Britain’s House of Commons voted by 524 lawmakers to 43 to back a motion authorising air strikes in Iraq.
British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said there would be no “immediate military action” but that it would be a “long, drawn-out campaign.”
He welcomed “a lot of support” for military action in Syria as well, during a sometimes heated parliamentary debate.
Ahead of the vote, PM David Cameron told lawmakers that IS must be confronted.
