Obama Prepared to Authorise Air Strike Against Islamic State

Obama Prepared To Authorise Air 

Strikes Against Islamic State

US President, Barack Obama, 
who will set out a broad long-term strategy to defeat the Islamic
 State 
in a speech to Americans on Wednesday evening, is prepared
 to authorise air strikes against 
the group in Syria, U.S. officials
 said.

Pursuing the Islamist radicals inside Syria would
complement an expanded
military campaign to back
 government forces in Iraq
following the formation of
a more inclusive government in Baghdad.

Obama has promised not to send combat troops back to the region,
but he is expected to announce a commitment to provide more arms
and training to rebel groups in Syria, a key element in any campaign of
 air attacks there.

The groups were formed with U.S. encouragement to try to oust
President Bashar al-Assad, but Washington did not provide them
with the weapons they needed and they have been eclipsed by
Islamist and al Qaeda-associated movements.

After more than 150 U.S. air strikes in Iraq in the last month, Iraqi
and Kurdish forces have halted the Islamic State advance. Obama
has signaled for days that he is willing to expand the mission to Syria, headquarters of the organization responsible for beheading two

 American journalists.

That is a significant shift for a president who has been reluctant to
 increase the U.S. military footprint in the region and three years ago
 pulled out the last combat troops from Iraq.
The president is scheduled to speak at 01:00 GMT on Thursday, an
 evening time slot that raises the profile and the stakes for his speech,
 which is one day before the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001,
 attacks on New York and the Pentagon.

“Tonight you will hear … how the United States will pursue a
comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL,
including U.S. military action and support for the forces combating
ISIL on the ground,” a White House official said, using an acronym
 for the Islamic State.

“The president will discuss how we are building a coalition of allies
 and partners in the region and in the broader international community
to support our efforts.”

With the speech, Obama is trying to build on the support that has grown
among the American public for military action, partly fueled by anger over
 the beheading of the journalists, and also appeal to likely international
 partners.

Obama spoke to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah earlier on Wednesday as
 part of that effort and Secretary of State John Kerry, now visiting Baghdad,

 will be meeting with leaders across the region in the coming days.

The president told congressional leaders on Tuesday he does not need additional authorization to carry out his plan but the White House is eager
to have their support along with that of the international community.