The U.S. and their Arab allies from Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates launched airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria late on Monday. The attack against the insurgents used aircraft and Tomahawk missiles. Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby made a statement claiming responsibility for the air raids on behalf of the U.S.:

“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. Given that these operations are ongoing, we are not in a position to provide additional details at this time.

20 Islamic State targets were hit by warplanes dropping bombs and ships firing cruise missiles. A U.S. Defense Department source said that among areas hit were the headquarters buildings for the militants.

The goal of the U.S. and Arab allies is to reverse the Islamic State’s advances following their seizure of territory across Iraq and Syria.

Earlier to the strikes, Russian President Vladimir Putin said anti-Islamic State strikes in Syria should not be carried out without the prior consent of the Syrian authorities.

The strikes took place hours before U.S. President Barack Obama went to New York to participate in the U.N. General Assembly. It is expected that he will try to rally more nations behind his attacks against the Islamic State.

French Hostage

The French Foreign Ministry confirmed that a Frenchman had been abducted near the northern Algerian city of Tizi Ouzou on Sunday. An Algerian Islamic State group released a video message stating that it would execute the French hostage known as  Hervé Gourdel within the next 24 hours if the French government continues its airstrikes against Islamists. France had joined the U.S. in an operation last week.