Breaking: Pentagon reports first airstrikes in Syria; Update: Coalition Arab countries added

Not much to go on just yet but here’s AP:

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And, the Fox News alert banner reads, “US conducts first bombing missions in Syria.”

Pentagon official:

“I can confirm that U.S. military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL [ISIS] terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, bomber and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles,” Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said. “Given that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time. The decision to conduct theses strikes was made earlier today by the U.S. Central Command commander under authorization granted him by the commander in chief. We will provide more details later as operationally appropriate.”

Press Secretary Josh Earnest:

CNN seems to have some more information about specific geographic location of the strikes, but the story it links to doesn’t include the name in the tweet.

Sigh, a rare moment when David Frum and I are in almost total agreement:

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Oh, dear Lord. Can’t make it up:

The coalition?

https://twitter.com/NoahCRothman/status/514232466543239168

What kind of help? ABC suggests more than just support:

The targets?

https://twitter.com/zaidbenjamin/status/514233987666300929

Maybe shoulda put an embargo on this:

Well, I guess that covers that:

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Update: The New York Times has a few more details for what it calls “President Obama’s war.”

WASHINGTON — The United States and allies launched airstrikes against Sunni militants in Syria early Tuesday, unleashing a torrent of cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs from the air and sea on the militants’ de facto capital of Raqqa and along the porous Iraq border.

American fighter jets and armed Predator and Reaper drones, flying alongside warplanes from several Arab allies, struck a broad array of targets in territory controlled by the militants, known as the Islamic State. American defense officials said the targets included weapons supplies, depots, barracks and buildings the militants use for command and control. Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired from United States Navy ships in the region.

“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,” said Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, using an alternate name for the Islamic State.

And, the paper contemplates this:

The strikes in Syria occurred without the approval of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, whose government, unlike Iraq, did not ask the United States for help against the Sunni militant group. Mr. Obama has repeatedly called on Mr. Assad to step down because of chemical weapons attacks and violence against his own people, and defense officials said Mr. Assad had not been told in advance of the strikes.

But administration officials acknowledge that American efforts to roll back the Sunni militant group in Syria cannot help but aid Mr. Assad, whose government is also a target of the Islamic State.

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Again, I’m nodding my head to David Frum:

Update: Modern warfare:

https://twitter.com/slone/status/514241894902423552/photo/1

Update: Hey, is any of this legal?

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