Patterico's Pontifications

9/22/2014

U.S. Begins Airstrikes Against ISIS In Syria

Filed under: General — Dana @ 7:32 pm



[guest post by Dana]

Now:

The U.S. and partner nations began launching airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria for the first time Monday night, expanding a military campaign against the militants with a mix of fighter jets, bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from ships in the region.

Because the military operation was ongoing, no details could be provided yet, said Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon’s press secretary. He said the decision to strike was made earlier Monday by the military. He did not name the partner nations participating in the operation; however U.S. officials have said the U.S. would not launch this mission alone and some Arab nations had been expected to participate.

Some of the airstrikes of airstrikes were against Islamic State group targets in Raqqa. Military officials have said the U.S. would target militants’ command and control centers, re-supply facilities, training camps and other key logistical sites.

–Dana

45 Responses to “U.S. Begins Airstrikes Against ISIS In Syria”

  1. Hello.

    Dana (4dbf62)

  2. oh my goodness they must be terrified

    the wrath of Obama is falling on their widdle heads

    happyfeet (a785d5)

  3. An act of not-war

    JD (285732)

  4. Well, some good comes of it. Dead terrorists.

    Rodney King's Spirit (8b9b5a)

  5. The U.S. has also been increasing its surveillance flights over Syria, getting better intelligent on potential targets and militant movements.

    god bless america

    happyfeet (a785d5)

  6. So, had the clock now officially started ticking on when he needs to go to Congress for approval since he is now waging not-war, in yet another country?

    JD (285732)

  7. In his statement, Kirby did not name which U.S. allies took part in the strikes, but the New York Times, citing American officials, said they were Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

    happyfeet (a785d5)

  8. time to award another Noble Peace Prize…

    redc1c4 (abd49e)

  9. testing

    Richard Aubrey (f6d8de)

  10. Good.
    We’re in a new situation. If there are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, and if 1% of them are going to be shooter/exploders or actively support them, that’s 12 million of them. And they’re everywhere, amongst the other 99% who have a greater or lesser degree of solidarity to keep them from dropping the dime, or whatever. So we’re going to have problems with more or less of 12 milion terrs, here, there. Shopoing malls, a Beslan in Iowa, so forth. But eventually, we’ll aved Richard Fernandez’ Three Conjectures. There’s no Sept 10.

    Richard Aubrey (f6d8de)

  11. sound and fury, signifying nothing, unless, of course, it’s you who gets blown up or shot down.

    in fact, this will, like as not, turn into a propaganda victory for the head bangers: soon or later, BamBam will become bored with the effort, declare victory, and end the strikes.

    at that point, ISIS/ISIL/WTF will still be around, and they wll gain face with the Arab street for having defied the Great Satan…

    helluva a plan yu got there, Barry.

    redc1c4 (abd49e)

  12. I think Obama should send Jimmy Carter to negotiate with ISIS.

    Kevin M (b357ee)

  13. It’s already started: Folks are praising BHO for all the lies about never attacking in Syria now that the “surprise” sorties have worked so well.

    Anyone wonder how those monstrous casino castles get built? Soooooo many delusional suckers.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  14. Keep isis out
    Bomb our borders
    and shoot anyone trying to cross the border.
    Simple, common sense and no chance.

    mg (31009b)

  15. The Administration and its PR outlets on TV are pushing hard to establish the 6 member coalition, including 5 Arab nations meme, but I’ve yet to see any evidence or even mention of attacks on ISIS/Daesh launched by other than US forces. If Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar are on-board their support seems to be exceptionally cautious, well behind-the-scenes, and consist largely of token participation so far.

    The one exception has been Jordan, King Abdullah has at least spoken out on national TV, however internal conflicts are said to be responsible for considerable foot dragging in Qatar.

    ropelight (79adb2)

  16. 15. I suppose the launch base mighta been Qatar, sponsor of terrorism.

    http://defensetech.org/2014/09/22/report-f-22-raptors-launched-airstrikes-in-syria/

    gary gulrud (46ca75)

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    bonexio.tk (12be10)

  18. Maybe Obama should hire John Yoo

    steveg (794291)

  19. Actually Yoo should just send Obama a bill

    steveg (794291)

  20. How many people does Barry get to kill and how many wars does Barry get to fight before they ask for their Peace Prize back? Perhaps the better question would be: How many people does Barry get to kill and how many wars does Barry get to fight before the sycophants, apologists, liars and minions like Perry admit he’s a looser, a liar and a failure as a president?

    Hoagie (4dfb34)

  21. 15. The Administration and its PR outlets on TV are pushing hard to establish the 6 member coalition, including 5 Arab nations meme, but I’ve yet to see any evidence or even mention of attacks on ISIS/Daesh launched by other than US forces. If Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar are on-board their support seems to be exceptionally cautious, well behind-the-scenes, and consist largely of token participation so far.

    The one exception has been Jordan, King Abdullah has at least spoken out on national TV, however internal conflicts are said to be responsible for considerable foot dragging in Qatar.
    ropelight (79adb2) — 9/23/2014 @ 3:29 am

    In other words, like their support for Bush’s invasion back in 2003. Perhaps their support is even more tepid now than it was then.

    I’m not sure about the other CENTCOM component commanders, but FIFTHFLEET is headquartered in Bahrain and maintains a logistics detachment in the UAE. It has for years. So certainly those countries provided support for Bush’s adventure just as much if not more so than they are now. I don’t recall exactly what ports we used to build up forces prior to the invasion, but they certainly were Saudi and I believe Kuwaiti. I’m sure I recall US forces transiting across Kuwait to get to Iraq.

    This attempt to make it appear that Tiger Beat is better than Bush at garnering international support falls into the “jobs saved or created” category of magical numbers. They’re cooking the books.

    Steve57 (da091a)

  22. A. How do they know those they bombed are ISIS partisans?

    B. Who do they use for that information?

    C. Who vets these sources?

    D. How can anyone blithely state that we’re bombing such and such
    after observing the massive lack of basic information about this
    group in the first place?

    E. Who in their right minds thinks that this information is solid
    and not being used to manipulate the situation on the ground so as
    to be beneficial to others who are not necessarily our “friends”?

    F. Keep in mind the wrong, bad, misleading information that has been
    a staple of this regime and the information sources themselves suspect.

    The blind leading the blind believing they’re your friend will put you
    in the middle of a crosswalk during rush hour. worse is when they’re aren’t
    blind, just very clever.

    jakee308 (d409c2)

  23. Not to worry jakee, Susan Rice will be along presently to explain everything.

    ropelight (3d6197)

  24. N.B., Pentagon spox are on TV claiming 4 of the Sunni Arab coalition nations participated directly with the US in air attacks on Syrian targets: their aircraft accompanied ours and expended munitions.

    ropelight (3d6197)

  25. 24. RE: ” Sunni Arab coalition”

    Dang, Shi’a rebels just took Sana’a, Yemen to our backs.

    Crap.

    gary gulrud (46ca75)

  26. 24. ropelight (3d6197) — 9/23/2014 @ 8:34 am

    N.B., Pentagon spox are on TV claiming 4 of the Sunni Arab coalition nations participated directly with the US in air attacks on Syrian targets: their aircraft accompanied ours and expended munitions.

    The New York Times this morning mentioned five, and identified them as:

    1) Bahrain

    2) Jordan

    3) Qatar (!!?)

    4) Saudi Arabia (it actually used its Air Force?)

    5) United Arab Emirates (which also, with Egypt, against U.S. wishes and without telling the United States beforehand, participiated in airstrikes in Libya.

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  27. “So, had the clock now officially started ticking on when he needs to go to Congress for approval since he is now waging not-war, in yet another country?

    JD”

    For The One, Constitution, shmonstitution. He will not be bothered by such trivial bounds containing his brilliance.More war for everyone, simpky because Obama does not wish to be thought to be a pussy.

    Bugg (3a2abd)

  28. The Saudi Air Force must be a very convenient way to get rid of troublesome princes in mysterious accidents.Old F16s msut be really cool to fly-once. “Coaliton of the Willing”- to have the US 1. pay for it and 2. do the actual bombing.

    Bugg (3a2abd)

  29. The reports say, 48 aircraft, 48 missiles and 200 bombs. Less than was used in 1986 against Libya (by 100 bombs)

    Steve Malynn (056bcb)

  30. Obama once again adopts Bush Doctrine of preemptive war. I blame Bush.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  31. I wonder what the desired end state is and how we get there with the pieces currently on the board.

    Richard Aubrey (f6d8de)

  32. Obama says they alss targets beloning to Khorasans – the al Nusra (Original al Qaeda ® ™) spinoff that had been spun off to handle terrorist attacks on the U.S (reportedly they planned attacks on U.S. targets in Europe – not in the battlefield theaterand not in the USA)

    http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/24/world/middleeast/us-isis-syria.html

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  33. 33. Richard Aubrey (f6d8de) — 9/23/2014 @ 10:26 am

    I wonder what the desired end state is and how we get there with the pieces currently on the board.

    That’s a problem for the Israeli Defense Forces, too, and the way it is described is, this is not bowling – any more – this is playing pool (billiards) where if you make the wrong move, you could put the 8 ball into a hole, or into the wrong hole at the end. The effect of everything on everything else has to be calculated.

    (In bowling, whatever pins you knock down, is to your benefit, and you only have figure out and to aim at the key pin. Not so in pool, as it becomes very important what does not happen, and in what order something happens.)

    Actually the Israeli strategy wasn’t so great before, as there wasn’t always a central responsible party, that was really resposible, that could be bombed.

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  34. Obama named the allies at 10:11 am EDT:

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/09/23/statement-president-airstrikes-syria

    We were joined in this action by our friends and partners — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, and Qatar. America is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with these nations on behalf of our common security.

    The strength of this coalition makes it clear to the world that this is not America’s fight alone.

    Above all, the people and governments in the Middle East are rejecting ISIL and standing up for the peace and security that the people of the region and the world deserve.

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  35. The news broke last night sometime around 9 pm. There were massive air strikes – but I wonder if this was planned for a week or so, if there was anything to stop the offensive going on right now.

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  36. 38. February 1st. In Liberia and Sierra Leone they expect the disease to peter out after its killed the host population.

    gary gulrud (46ca75)

  37. SF: And what happens after January 31?

    38. gary gulrud (46ca75) — 9/23/2014 @ 12:03 pm

    February 1st.

    The CDC actually projected only until January 20. This assumes theer are 2 1/2 times as many cases as reported.

    In Liberia and Sierra Leone they expect the disease to peter out after its killed the host population.

    Well, previously, in at least one area, they reached a level of 34% immune. So some people get weak enough exposures to get immunized but not sick. (but maybe that comes from getting the disease through eating fruit with bits of bat droppings on them – or maybe the theory of how many it kills is all wrong)

    A map showed that the area with the greatest number of cases overall, has a low recent rate – but maybe that’s because it is rural and somewhat easily contained.

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  38. What?!! Is common sense breaking out?

    From the New York Times article:

    Though providing home-care kits may seem like a pragmatic approach, some public health authorities said they were no substitute for beds in isolation or containment wards.

    But Dr. Frieden said that home care had been used to help stamp out smallpox in Africa during the 1960s. The caregivers were often people who had survived smallpox themselves and were immune to it. Some experts have suggested that Ebola survivors might also be employed to care for the sick.

    And there’s no way they are going to get 100,000 beds.

    They definitely do need a quick test, and Theranos – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theranos – coukld probably come up with one in a week, if you threw out all bureaucratic obstacles and unnecessary testing.

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  39. ISIS Has Recently Become a Popular Girls’ Name

    But it probably won’t be for much longer.

    …………

    The baby-name problem is a fairly small part of the broader “what-to-call-these-people” dilemma. Organizations that go by the acronym ISIS have been begging news media to call the Sunni extremist organization something different. And to some extent, it’s working. As National Journal’s Matt Berman points out, the Associated Press has moved to “Islamic State group” and The New York Times is going with IS. The U.S. government has increasingly said “ISIL”—the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Egypt’s Islamic authority, Dar al-Ifta, proposed “al-Qaeda Separatists in Iraq and Syria,” or QSIS, and France recently announced it would use the Arabic acronym “Daesh.” ISIS really hates that word though, and according to The Washington Post, has threatened to cut out the tongue of anyone who uses it.

    http://www.nationaljournal.com/defense/the-islamic-state-is-messing-up-other-people-s-acronyms-20140917

    The Institute for Science and International Security, or ISIS, is pushing back at media organizations for using the acronym to refer to the terrorist organization

    It’s a nuclear-nonproliferation group.

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  40. I’ve got to link a story or two about Jordan and Libya – important points.

    Very very briefly:

    1) Jordan appoints and supervises imams, and is trying to stop the spread of informal mosques –

    2) King Abdullah II almost used the word heresy on 60 minutes

    3) More than one quarter and less than one third of the poipulation of Libya has fled to Tunisia, where this mass immigration is improving the economy (the New York Times mentioned that in passing) although they worry in Tunisia about the sociological effects

    4) but others (non-Libyans, not always fleeing Libya?) flee by sea and get drowned – in one case some refugees refused to leave one boat for smaller one, so the bog boat was sunk and almost 500 drowned, and in another case the people in two boats argued and one sunk the other – or are they both the same case?

    5) A Syrian jet crossed over into the Israeli zone of the Golan Heights and was shot down – the pilots ejected – syria condemns

    6) Hezbollah attacks a Syhrian rebel position near the syrian border.

    And this:

    http://www.thewire.com/global/2014/09/russia-condemns-us-airstrikes-on-isis-and-al-qaeda-assad-approves/380634/

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  41. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-airstrikes-hit-khorasan-in-syria-obama-plunges-deep-into-a-messy-war/

    U.S. officials told CBS News last week that Khorasan is a unit with a mandate directly from al Qaeda’s central command in Pakistan, sent into Syria with bomb-making experts from the terror network’s affiliate in Yemen, to try and plot attacks against the U.S. and Western allies.

    If they have no connection with al nusra, but only to Al Qaeda in Pakistan and in Yemen, then how come the leader of al Nusra was killed?

    http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/photos-released-demolished-isis-buildings-u-s-airstrikes-article-1.1949839

    I guess he was just visiting.

    Khorasan, by the way, is a name meant to imply that it belongs to core al Qaeda because Khorasan is around Afgahnistan or Pakistan or something.

    More from the arrticle I linked to:

    The U.S. State Department made it clear that as far as the Obama administration is concerned at least, a strike on Khorasan is not the same as a strike on al-Nusra.

    CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan reported that, according to State Department officials, there is “some” overlap between al-Nusra and Khorasan, but they are not one in [sic – should be “and”] the same.

    A Department official told Brennan that Khorasan refers to a network of al-Nusra Front and al Qaeda extremists and their associates who share a history of training operatives, facilitating fighters and money, and planning attacks against U.S. and Western targets.

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)


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