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Islamic State crisis: New air strikes in Syria and Iraq Islamic State crisis: New air strikes in Syria and Iraq
(35 minutes later)
US warplanes have carried out new air strikes on Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria, hitting vehicles and arms dumps, the US military says.US warplanes have carried out new air strikes on Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria, hitting vehicles and arms dumps, the US military says.
Eight IS vehicles were damaged near Abu Kamal on the Syria-Iraq border, and two others in Deir al-Zour in the east of Syria, the US Central Command said.Eight IS vehicles were damaged near Abu Kamal on the Syria-Iraq border, and two others in Deir al-Zour in the east of Syria, the US Central Command said.
In Iraq there were strikes on IS targets west of Baghdad and southeast of Irbil, near Kurdish territory.In Iraq there were strikes on IS targets west of Baghdad and southeast of Irbil, near Kurdish territory.
Earlier there were air strikes on IS near the border with Turkey.Earlier there were air strikes on IS near the border with Turkey.
US President Barack Obama is to address the UN General Assembly in New York shortly, and is expected to speak about the air campaign against IS. US President Barack Obama has condemned IS "fanaticism", in a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York.
Officials say he will outline America's role as the lead player in a coalition of more than 50 countries committed to defeating IS. "There can be no reasoning - no negotiation - with this brand of evil. The only language understood by killers like this is the language of force," he said.
Turkey border crisis He urged Muslims to reject the ideology of IS and al-Qaeda.
He said the US "will work with a broad coalition to dismantle this network of death.
"In this effort, we do not act alone. Nor do we intend to send US troops to occupy foreign lands. Instead, we will support Iraqis and Syrians fighting to reclaim their communities. We will use our military might in a campaign of air strikes to roll back Isil [IS].
"We will train and equip forces fighting against these terrorists on the ground. We will work to cut off their financing, and to stop the flow of fighters into and out of the region. Already, over 40 nations have offered to join this coalition. Today, I ask the world to join in this effort," he said.
The well-armed Sunni Muslim IS militants have seized large areas of Syria and Iraq, vowing to establish a hardline caliphate ruled by Sharia. They have beheaded Western hostages and have persecuted Christians, Yazidis and Shia Muslims, whom they treat as heretics.The well-armed Sunni Muslim IS militants have seized large areas of Syria and Iraq, vowing to establish a hardline caliphate ruled by Sharia. They have beheaded Western hostages and have persecuted Christians, Yazidis and Shia Muslims, whom they treat as heretics.
Turkey border crisis
Syrian activists reported strikes around the Kurdish town of Kobane near Turkey, which has been besieged by IS fighters for several days.Syrian activists reported strikes around the Kurdish town of Kobane near Turkey, which has been besieged by IS fighters for several days.
Witnesses saw two military aircraft approaching from Turkey but Turkish officials denied its airspace or bases had been used in the attack.Witnesses saw two military aircraft approaching from Turkey but Turkish officials denied its airspace or bases had been used in the attack.
The US-led coalition expanded its raids against IS into Syria on Monday. The US-led coalition expanded its raids against IS into Syria on Monday. The US said Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar had all "participated in or supported" the strikes.
But the aerial bombardment near Kobane, which happened at about 01:00 local time (22:00 GMT), has not been confirmed by the US or any coalition member.But the aerial bombardment near Kobane, which happened at about 01:00 local time (22:00 GMT), has not been confirmed by the US or any coalition member.
Turkish military sources said neither its air force nor the US airbase at Incirlik in southern Turkey had been used.Turkish military sources said neither its air force nor the US airbase at Incirlik in southern Turkey had been used.
The US has launched nearly 200 air strikes against IS in Iraq since August.The US has launched nearly 200 air strikes against IS in Iraq since August.
The IS advance has created a refugee crisis in neighbouring Turkey. Aid agencies said some 130,000 Kurdish refugees, most of them from Kobane, crossed into Turkey at the weekend.The IS advance has created a refugee crisis in neighbouring Turkey. Aid agencies said some 130,000 Kurdish refugees, most of them from Kobane, crossed into Turkey at the weekend.
The US air strikes on Tuesday also targeted Khorasan, a shadowy group of Al-Qaeda fighters in Syria's Aleppo province. The US military believes that attack killed Khorasan's leader Fadhli, a US official quoted by Reuters news agency said.
Meanwhile, the BBC understands that the UK Parliament will be recalled on Friday to discuss Britain's possible role in air strikes on IS targets.Meanwhile, the BBC understands that the UK Parliament will be recalled on Friday to discuss Britain's possible role in air strikes on IS targets.
Speaking on Tuesday, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said an international coalition was needed to "destroy" IS, adding that it was a fight "you cannot opt out of".Speaking on Tuesday, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said an international coalition was needed to "destroy" IS, adding that it was a fight "you cannot opt out of".
The Dutch government is also considering military action and will hold a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss deploying four F-16 fighter jets.The Dutch government is also considering military action and will hold a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss deploying four F-16 fighter jets.
Turkey had initially refused to take part in military action against IS, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled a possible change in policy on Tuesday.Turkey had initially refused to take part in military action against IS, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signalled a possible change in policy on Tuesday.
"We will give the necessary support to the operation. The support could be military or logistics," he told reporters in New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly meeting. "We will give the necessary support to the operation. The support could be military or logistics," he told reporters in New York.
Correspondents say Turkey may be willing to get more involved after it secured the release of 49 Turkish hostages who had been held by IS militants in northern Iraq.Correspondents say Turkey may be willing to get more involved after it secured the release of 49 Turkish hostages who had been held by IS militants in northern Iraq.
Anti-IS mood in RaqqaAnti-IS mood in Raqqa
The BBC's Mark Lowen, who is on the Syria-Turkey border, says Kurds still in Kobane reported a significant increase in shelling by IS militants on Wednesday morning.The BBC's Mark Lowen, who is on the Syria-Turkey border, says Kurds still in Kobane reported a significant increase in shelling by IS militants on Wednesday morning.
A Kurdish military commander told Reuters news agency that IS boosted its forces after the air strikes, sending extra fighters and tanks to the outskirts of Kobane.A Kurdish military commander told Reuters news agency that IS boosted its forces after the air strikes, sending extra fighters and tanks to the outskirts of Kobane.
In the IS stronghold of Raqqa local people are looking forward to more air strikes on IS targets, according to Abdulkader Hariri, a man who got in touch with the BBC.In the IS stronghold of Raqqa local people are looking forward to more air strikes on IS targets, according to Abdulkader Hariri, a man who got in touch with the BBC.
He says he is in the city, despite feeling "danger every day" because IS militants are against use of social media.He says he is in the city, despite feeling "danger every day" because IS militants are against use of social media.
"Everybody is anticipating the second wave of attacks - especially at night. Surprisingly, many people are excited about hitting Isis [IS] more than anything - but those who live near Isis headquarters are afraid."Everybody is anticipating the second wave of attacks - especially at night. Surprisingly, many people are excited about hitting Isis [IS] more than anything - but those who live near Isis headquarters are afraid.
"There's only one hospital still operating now - the national hospital. Food supplies are available," he wrote."There's only one hospital still operating now - the national hospital. Food supplies are available," he wrote.
'Long battle ahead'
On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm John Kirby said the US strikes in Syria had disrupted IS but warned that the fight against them would take years.
"It's going to take a serious effort by all involved. We do believe that we're talking about years here," he told the BBC.
President Obama hailed the support of Arab nations in air strikes against IS on Monday, saying: "This is not America's fight alone."
The US said Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar had all "participated in or supported" the strikes.
Middle East press reacts to Syria strikesMiddle East press reacts to Syria strikes
The involvement of the region's countries "has given more legitimacy to the alliance" and embarrasses Russia and Iran, according to an editorial in Saudi newspaper Al-Watan.The involvement of the region's countries "has given more legitimacy to the alliance" and embarrasses Russia and Iran, according to an editorial in Saudi newspaper Al-Watan.
In the conservative Iranian paper Khorasan, Ali Reza Rezakhah says the limited military operation shows that is it not "America's priority to fight [IS] nor [IS's] priority to fight America".In the conservative Iranian paper Khorasan, Ali Reza Rezakhah says the limited military operation shows that is it not "America's priority to fight [IS] nor [IS's] priority to fight America".
Salih al-Qallab defends Jordan's role in the air strikes in Jordanian daily Al-Ra'y, saying it is "no surprise" since terrorists inside Syria "went too far" in their attempts to carry out terrorist operations in Jordan.Salih al-Qallab defends Jordan's role in the air strikes in Jordanian daily Al-Ra'y, saying it is "no surprise" since terrorists inside Syria "went too far" in their attempts to carry out terrorist operations in Jordan.
Writing in Syrian daily Al-Thawrah, As'ad Abud says it is "new and unique" for Syrian territory to be attacked by an alliance involving Arab countries, especially when those countries once supported the terrorists it is attacking.Writing in Syrian daily Al-Thawrah, As'ad Abud says it is "new and unique" for Syrian territory to be attacked by an alliance involving Arab countries, especially when those countries once supported the terrorists it is attacking.
Who are Islamic State (IS)?Who are Islamic State (IS)?
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukHave you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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