President Barack Obama said the participation of five Arab nations in airstrikes against militants in Syria "makes it clear to the world this is not America's fight alone."
In a statement Tuesday on the White House lawn before departing for the United Nations, Obama said the joint effort to fight the so-called Islamic State will take time, but it is vital to the security of the United States.
The United States expanded its fight against militants into Syria on Monday night. Targets included the capital of the so-called Islamic State, the Syrian city of Raqqa. The U.S. hit other targets as well, including casualties among the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front.
Obama said the U.S. is "proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder" with Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates in conducting the strikes. Watch his brief statement below, starting at about the 36 minute mark.
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the U.S.-led coalition's airstrikes in Syria are illegal because they were not approved by Syria's government. At the United Nations, Rouhani said Iran condemns the Islamic State for its human rights violations and said his country stands ready to help fight terrorism. He called the U.S. policy "clearly nebulous and amgbiguous at best."
Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement Monday that the decision to strike was made "by the U.S. Central Command commander under authorization granted him by the commander in chief."
The U.S. also said it disrupted "imminent attack plotting against the United States and Western interests." Details of that threat have not been released.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.
