US, Joined by Arab Armies, Pounds ISIS Targets in Syria

American aircraft and cruise missiles carried out sustained attacks against ISIS targets in Syria on Tuesday, making good on President Obama’s promise to move against the brutal Islamist group intent on creating a “caliphate” – state run by strict Islamic law – in parts of Iraq and Syria. While suffering intense criticism for failing to act, the administration appeared to be jolted into action after two American journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff were horrifically beheaded by ISIS – the Islamic State. President Obama apparently succeeded in putting together the coalition he sought in order to enter the fray given that the air forces of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Jordan all participated in the air raids supplemented by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from US Navy ships. Targets were said to include arms depots, command headquarters and barracks in the area of Raqqa, the city considered to be ISIS’s home court. The administration stressed that the mission was carried out inside of Syria without the consent of President Assad and that Syrian radar was jammed by the American-led attackers.