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Airstrikes hit Islamic State targets in Syria for second day Airstrikes hit Islamic State targets in Syria for second day
(about 2 hours later)
BEIRUT — Airstrikes hit Islamic State strongholds and near frontline positions inside Syria on Wednesday in a second day of attacks by a U.S.-led coalition, activists said. BEIRUT — Airstrikes hit Islamic State strongholds and near frontline positions inside Syria on Wednesday in a second day of attacks by a U.S.-led coalition.
American warplanes also targeted sites in Iraq, the U.S. military said.American warplanes also targeted sites in Iraq, the U.S. military said.
The number of airstrikes in Syria appeared below the wave of more than 200 conducted Tuesday in the initial assault by American warplanes and missiles with support from Arab allies. But activists described intense attacks in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border, a critical supply line for Islamic State factions. The latest airstrikes in Syria appeared to be less intense than the three waves of attacks unleashed early Tuesday, when 22 separate targets were struck by about 200 missiles, bombs and rockets launched from American warplanes, Navy ships and aircraft contributed by Arab allies. But activists described heavy attacks in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border, a critical supply line for the Islamic State, a radical Sunni armed group that is also known as ISIS or ISIL.
At least 10 airstrikes hit suspected Islamic State positions in and around Boukamal, news agencies reported, citing the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In New York, President Obama vowed Wednesday to destroy the group, which he said has spread terror and death across broad areas of Syria and Iraq, committing “the most horrific crimes” including torture, mass killings, rapes and video-recorded beheadings.
“No God condones this terror,” Obama said in a speech to the U.N. General Assembly. “No grievance justifies these actions. 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. So the United States of America will work with a broad coalition to dismantle this network of death.”
“We will use our military might in a campaign of airstrikes to roll back ISIL,” Obama added. “Today, I ask the world to join in this effort.”
The U.S. Central Command said Wednesday that a mix of U.S. attack, bomber and fighter aircraft carried out five new airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria. It said two airstrikes west of Baghdad destroyed two of the extremist group’s armed vehicles and a weapons cache, two more southeast of the northern Kurdish city of Irbil struck Islamic State fighting positions, and a fifth damaged eight of the militants’ vehicles in Syria northwest of the Iraqi border town of Qaim.
“All aircraft exited the strike areas safely,” the Central Command said in a statement.
Citing the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, news agencies said at least 10 airstrikes hit suspected Islamic State positions in and around Bukamal, on the Syrian side of the border northwest of Qaim.
The group also said several aerial attacks were carried out near Kobane, a key border town with Turkey that has been the site of intense battles between Islamic State fighters and militias from Syria’s Kurdish region.The group also said several aerial attacks were carried out near Kobane, a key border town with Turkey that has been the site of intense battles between Islamic State fighters and militias from Syria’s Kurdish region.
The Syrian Observatory said the planes came from the direction of Turkey, although Turkey has denied involvement in the air campaign.The Syrian Observatory said the planes came from the direction of Turkey, although Turkey has denied involvement in the air campaign.
Moustafa Oniedi, a Kurdish activist in Marj Ismael, about two miles from Kobane, said there were strikes south of Kobane but that they did not hit active fronts with Islamic State militants.Moustafa Oniedi, a Kurdish activist in Marj Ismael, about two miles from Kobane, said there were strikes south of Kobane but that they did not hit active fronts with Islamic State militants.
“However, the strikes triggered a lot of joy,” he said. “People were clapping, chanting and dancing in celebration because the Americans are hitting the region and they believe that the U.S. came to their rescue.”“However, the strikes triggered a lot of joy,” he said. “People were clapping, chanting and dancing in celebration because the Americans are hitting the region and they believe that the U.S. came to their rescue.”
More than 130,000 refugees fled to Turkey to escape the battles before Turkish authorities closed the border. Hundreds more refugees sought safe havens Wednesday.More than 130,000 refugees fled to Turkey to escape the battles before Turkish authorities closed the border. Hundreds more refugees sought safe havens Wednesday.
In Iraq, at least five U.S. airstrikes were carried out over a wide area, including two hitting suspected Islamic State armored vehicles west of Baghdad, said a statement from the U.S. Central Command.
Islamic State fighters are waging a two-front war in Iraq and Syria, seeking to expand the boundaries of their newly self-declared caliphate, or Islamic state, ruled by strict Islamic law. The group is accused of widespread atrocities in both countries, including abuses against non-Muslim minorities and the beheadings of at least three Western hostages.Islamic State fighters are waging a two-front war in Iraq and Syria, seeking to expand the boundaries of their newly self-declared caliphate, or Islamic state, ruled by strict Islamic law. The group is accused of widespread atrocities in both countries, including abuses against non-Muslim minorities and the beheadings of at least three Western hostages.
The U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State has met with mixed reaction from Syria’s many rebel groups, many of whom have been fighting the militants since the beginning of the year. The U.S.-led campaign against the Islamic State has met with mixed reaction from Syria’s many rebel groups, many of which have been fighting the militants since the beginning of the year.
President Obama has proposed increasing military aid and training to “moderate” Syrian rebels to escalate the pressures on the Islamic State and other Islamist factions.President Obama has proposed increasing military aid and training to “moderate” Syrian rebels to escalate the pressures on the Islamic State and other Islamist factions.
“Of course the Syrian Coalition has welcomed the international coalition to join us in our fight against extremism,” said Monzer Akbik, a member of the Syrian political opposition group. “There should be advancement on the ground by the Free Syrian Army toliberate those areas.”“Of course the Syrian Coalition has welcomed the international coalition to join us in our fight against extremism,” said Monzer Akbik, a member of the Syrian political opposition group. “There should be advancement on the ground by the Free Syrian Army toliberate those areas.”
Deane reported from Rome. Suzan Haidamous in Beirut contributedto this report. Deane reported from Rome. William Branigin in Washington and Suzan Haidamous in Beirut contributed to this report.