President Barack Obama said over 40 nations have offered to help in the United States’ effort to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Obama said that during a statement he delivered on Tuesday. He said the United States planned to move forward with helping to equip and train the Syrian opposition who are the “best counterweight” to the terrorist threat and the Assad regime.
“And more broadly over 40 nations have offered to help in this comprehensive effort to confront this terrorist threat,” Obama said. “To take out terrorist targets to train and equip Iraq and Syrian opposition fighters who are going up against ISIL fighters on the ground, to cut off ISIS financing, to counter its hateful ideology and to stop the flow of fighters into and out of the region.”
Obama also said the United States also conducted airstrikes against “seasoned al Qaeda operatives” in Syria.
“I’ve spoken to leaders in Congress and I am pleased there is bipartisan support for the action we’re taking,” Obama said. “America’s stronger when we stand united and that unity sends a powerful message to the world that we will do what’s necessary to defend our country.”
Obama walked from the Oval office to deliver the statement.
President Obama walks from the Oval Office to make a statement about the Syria airstrikes. #syriaairstrikes pic.twitter.com/XSk0crXEsn
— Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) September 23, 2014
This post was updated.
