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Syria air strikes: US launches attack on Isis as jihadist group warns of retribution

Pentagon says strikes targeted areas including Isis stronghold Raqqa

Heather Saul
Tuesday 23 September 2014 10:07 BST
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The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) launching a Tomahawk cruise missile against Isis targets in Syria, as seen from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Arabian Gulf
The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) launching a Tomahawk cruise missile against Isis targets in Syria, as seen from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Arabian Gulf

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The US military has launched its first air strikes against Isis militants in Syria supported by a coalition of five Arab states, the Pentagon confirmed on Tuesday.

Syrian state television reported on Tuesday that Washington informed Syria's United Nations envoy before the attacks began, quoting Syria's Foreign Ministry as the source. However, Syria did not formally consent to them taking place in its territory.

Here are the major developments so far:

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Britain was not involved in the strikes but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said discussions on whether to join the strikes in Syria are “ongoing” and "no decision has been taken to our involvement".

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