Obama says will launch air attacks on IS in Syria

Washington (AFP) – US President Barack Obama said Wednesday he is ready to launch air strikes on Islamic State fighters in Syria, expanding the campaign already undertaken against the jihadists in Iraq.

“I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq,” Obama said in a televised address, urging Congress to give him “additional authorities and resources to train and equip” the Syrian opposition.

The United States will also expand its campaign of air strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and send another 475 troops to train local forces, Obama said.

“Working with the Iraqi government, we will expand our efforts beyond protecting our own people and humanitarian missions, so that we’re hitting ISIL targets as Iraqi forces go on offense,” he said.

M. Wassouf