US launches air strikes on Syria Islamic State militants
Islamic State fighters in Syria
The US and allied nations have launched the first air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria, the Pentagon has said.
Spokesman Rear Adm John Kirby said fighter and bomber jets and Tomahawk missiles were used in the attack.
The strikes were expected as part of President Barack Obama's pledge to "degrade and destroy" IS, which has taken huge swathes of Syria and Iraq.
The US has already undertaken 190 air strikes in Iraq since August.
The group has taken control of portions of a vast area between Syria and Iraq, executed captive soldiers, aide workers and journalists, and threatened the mass killing of religious minorities in Iraq.
On Monday, Rear Adm Kirby confirmed "US military and partner nation forces" were undertaking military action in Syria but did not give details.
"Given that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time," he said in a statement.
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