Not much to go on just yet but here’s AP:
WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Pentagon says US and partners begin airstrikes in Syria.
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) September 23, 2014
And, the Fox News alert banner reads, “US conducts first bombing missions in Syria.”
“I can confirm that U.S. military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL [ISIS] terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, bomber and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles,” Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said. “Given that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time. The decision to conduct theses strikes was made earlier today by the U.S. Central Command commander under authorization granted him by the commander in chief. We will provide more details later as operationally appropriate.”
Press Secretary Josh Earnest:
.@PentagonPresSec stmt on tonight's bombing campaign in #Syria. pic.twitter.com/gIktsDY6Aq
— Nick Kalman (@NickKalmanFN) September 23, 2014
CNN seems to have some more information about specific geographic location of the strikes, but the story it links to doesn’t include the name in the tweet.
Airstrikes by U.S. and partner nations on ISIS in Raqqa, Syria, mark new level of engagement in Syrian war. http://t.co/8LmRmuM6PB
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) September 23, 2014
Sigh, a rare moment when David Frum and I are in almost total agreement:
Hoping for best success possible in a war w/out aims, alongside allies not to be identified, for the benefit of regimes we don’t mention
— David Frum (@davidfrum) September 23, 2014
Oh, dear Lord. Can’t make it up:
Great that we've got TV reporters being briefed that bombing will be scaled down after tonight. Think Isis might hear that too?
— Toby Harnden (@tobyharnden) September 23, 2014
The coalition?
https://twitter.com/NoahCRothman/status/514232466543239168
Five Arab nations are taking part in tonight's airstrikes on ISIS in Syria: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE
— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) September 23, 2014
What kind of help? ABC suggests more than just support:
Good RT: @ABC More: Official says Arab nations participating in airstrikes will be dropping bombs, isn’t just support – @LMartinezABC
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) September 23, 2014
The targets?
https://twitter.com/zaidbenjamin/status/514233987666300929
Unconfirmed – US lead air strikes v’s #IS hit Tal Abyad, 93 Brig, 17th Div in Raqqa, Raqqa City, Tabaqa Airport & City, W Aleppo #Syria
— Ian Pannell (@IanPannell) September 23, 2014
Maybe shoulda put an embargo on this:
CNN reporting that this will be "most intense night" of Syria air strike campaign. So you can relax from tomorrow, Isis.
— Toby Harnden (@tobyharnden) September 23, 2014
Well, I guess that covers that:
Boehner Spox: The Speaker spoke with the President by phone this evening. #ISIS #Syria #fnpolitics
— Mike Emanuel 🇺🇸 (@MikeEmanuelFox) September 23, 2014
Update: The New York Times has a few more details for what it calls “President Obama’s war.”
WASHINGTON — The United States and allies launched airstrikes against Sunni militants in Syria early Tuesday, unleashing a torrent of cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs from the air and sea on the militants’ de facto capital of Raqqa and along the porous Iraq border.
American fighter jets and armed Predator and Reaper drones, flying alongside warplanes from several Arab allies, struck a broad array of targets in territory controlled by the militants, known as the Islamic State. American defense officials said the targets included weapons supplies, depots, barracks and buildings the militants use for command and control. Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from United States Navy ships in the region.
“I can confirm that U.S. 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 Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, using an alternate name for the Islamic State.
And, the paper contemplates this:
The strikes in Syria occurred without the approval of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, whose government, unlike Iraq, did not ask the United States for help against the Sunni militant group. Mr. Obama has repeatedly called on Mr. Assad to step down because of chemical weapons attacks and violence against his own people, and defense officials said Mr. Assad had not been told in advance of the strikes.
But administration officials acknowledge that American efforts to roll back the Sunni militant group in Syria cannot help but aid Mr. Assad, whose government is also a target of the Islamic State.
Again, I’m nodding my head to David Frum:
If Congress had reacted a little differently a year ago, we’d today be marking 1 year anniversary of fighting w ISIS against Assad
— David Frum (@davidfrum) September 23, 2014
Update: Modern warfare:
https://twitter.com/slone/status/514241894902423552/photo/1
President is being briefed by military officials throughout the night on the action in Syria, per a senior official
— Ed Henry (@edhenry) September 23, 2014
Update: Hey, is any of this legal?
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