US, Arab Partners Launch First Airstrikes on Islamic State Targets in Syria

The United States and its Arab allies carried out the first airstrikes against the Islamic State militants in Syria Monday night.

 "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," Rear Admiral John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement Monday.

"Given that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time. The decision to conduct these strikes was made earlier today by the U.S. Central Command commander under authorization granted him by the commander in chief, "he added, reports Fox News.

U.S. officials said that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain participated in the operation.

The U.S. used B B-1 bombers, F-16s, F-18s and Predator drones in the operation. While The F-18s took off from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, which is in the Persian Gulf, the Tomahawk missiles were launched from the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke in the Red Sea, reports Fox News.

Officials say the coalition is targeting about 20 sites, including command-and-control centers, training camps and weapons depots. Raqqa, a major strong hold of the Islamic State was particularly targeted. Syrian activists said that there were several airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Raqqa.

The anti-militant media collective called "Raqqa is being silently slaughtered" said that some of the targets were the buildings which the Islamic State used as its headquarters, and the Brigade 93, a Syrian army base which the militants captured last month. The towns of Tabqa and Tel Abyad in Raqqa province were also targeted, it said, reports the Associated Press.

Hadi Bahra , leader of the Western-backed Syrian opposition group, welcomed the  airstrikes in Syria.

"Tonight, the international community has joined our fight against ISIS in Syria," he said in a statement, using an alternate acronym for the Islamic State. "We have called for airstrikes such as those that commenced tonight with a heavy heart and deep concern, as these strikes begin in our own homeland. We insist that utmost care is taken to avoid civilian casualties," Bahra said, reports AP.