The U.S. Air Force conducted over 40 air raids this morning in Syria, killing scores of ISIS militants in the Ar-Raqqa, Aleppo, Al-Hasakah, Deir Ezzor, and Idlib Governates. The majority of the airstrikes targeted the Ar-Raqqa Governate, where the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has a large presence of fighters. ISIS has used the Ar-Raqqa Governate to attack east Aleppo and western Al-Hasakah, besieging the predominately Kurdish city of Kobane (‘Ayn Al-‘Arab) and the majority Assyrian Qamishli District.
According to a military source, the U.S. Air Force killed over 60 members of ISIS around 4:30 A.M. Damascus Time, when a Tomahawk Cruise Missile struck the Tabqa National Hospital and created a large explosion that could be heard from Raqqa City; this was first major strike on the Tabqa Airbase since the Syrian Air Force’s bombardment last month. Civilians have reported non-stop airstrikes since the morning, as the U.S. Air Force continues to target ISIS positions in northern Syria.
Recently, U.S. President Barack Obama issued a public statement calling for airstrikes in Syria and Iraq; he further added that the U.S. would not seek Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s approval. However, Syrian State Television reported that the U.S.’ U.N. Delegate corresponded with Syria’s delegate, Dr. Bashar Al-Ja’afari; notifying him about the U.S.’ intention to attack ISIS in northern Syria on Tuesday morning.
