US Announces First Airstrikes Under New Isıl Strategy

The U.S. announced the first airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, under an expanded strategy against the militants laid out last week by President Barack Obama.



U.S. Central Command said two strikes took place Sunday and Monday in support of Iraqi forces near the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar, and southwest of Baghdad.



The Sinjar strike destroyed six ISIL vehicles, while an ISIL fighting position was destroyed in the strike near Baghdad.



Under the plan announced by Obama, the U.S. will carry out airstrikes against the militants throughout Iraq, and would for the first time hit them in Syria.



Asked by reporters if Obama is prepared to retaliate against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces should they attack American aircraft, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said, "it won't surprise you to know that there are contingencies related to self-defense when it comes to these sorts of rules of engagement."



A senior Obama administration official was more direct. He told The Associated Press that the U.S. would hit back against Syrian forces if they fired on U.S. aircraft.



Since 2011, Syria has been locked in a bloody civil war between forces loyal to Assad and a wide range of rebel groups. 



www.aa.com.tr/en - Washington DC