The United States and partner nations have carried out air strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria overnight.<br /><br />The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that scores of fighters had been killed or wounded in the city of Raqqa and surrounding areas<br /><br />A US official said that Arab countries were involved in the strikes – including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Bahrain. <br /><br />The attacks come just two weeks after the US formed a coalition including 40 countries to fight against Islamic State.<br /><br />Syria has previously warned that any strikes on Syrian soil without the government’s consent would be considered an act of aggression.<br /><br />President Bashar-al-Assad had offered to co-operate in coordinating strikes on Islamic jihadists but the US refused.<br /><br />Russia has said the US should respect Syria’s sovereignty and warned airstrikes may also target government forces loyal to President Assad.
