WASHINGTON: The US President Barack Obama has authorized US airstrikes inside Syria for the first time, along with expanded strikes in Iraq to root out Islamic State militants and their spreading reign of terror.
In his address on the eve of the anniversary of September 11, 2001 attacks, the US president announced dispatching nearly 500 more US troops to advise and assist the Iraqi security forces as well as conduct intelligence and reconnaissance flights.
Obama said that his plans to degrade and ultimately destroy the Islamic State militants would not involve returning US combat troops to the Middle East.
