This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/syria-informed-in-advance-of-us-led-airstrikes-against-islamic-state/2014/09/23/848d79ae-4315-11e4-b437-1a7368204804_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Syria informed in advance of U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State Syria informed in advance of U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State
(about 1 hour later)
BEIRUT — Syria was informed by the United States in advance of airstrikes against targets including Islamic State strongholds, a Syrian statement said Tuesday, marking a rare display of coordination between Washington and the government of President Bashar al-Assad. BEIRUT — Syria was informed by the United States in advance of airstrikes against targets including Islamic State strongholds, but there was no strategic coordination with the Syrian government, a State Department spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The outreach to Syrian officials suggests an important shift by the United States and its allies — including key Arab partners — which have given diplomatic and limited military support to rebel groups seeking to overthrow Assad. Although the United States said it gave no specifics on the attacks and did not request clearance from Damascus, it marked a rare display of interaction between Washington and envoys for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“We warned Syria not to engage U.S. aircraft,” said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki. “We did not request the regime’s permission. We did not coordinate our actions with the Syrian government.”
She also said U.S. officials provided no details about the timing or targets in the U.S.-led airstrikes, which included support from Arab nations opposed to Assad such Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
But the outreach suggests a small but important shift by the United States and its allies, which have given diplomatic and limited military support to rebels seeking to overthrow Assad.
The expansion of U.S.-led airstrikes into Syria could now open new channels to Assad’s government, which last year faced possible Western air attacks over claims of chemical weapon use by the Syrian military.The expansion of U.S.-led airstrikes into Syria could now open new channels to Assad’s government, which last year faced possible Western air attacks over claims of chemical weapon use by the Syrian military.
It also reflects attempts by the White House to avoid disputes that could hamper the widening confrontation against the Islamic State and other factions such as the al-Qaeda-inspired Khorasan group.It also reflects attempts by the White House to avoid disputes that could hamper the widening confrontation against the Islamic State and other factions such as the al-Qaeda-inspired Khorasan group.
Among Assad’s backers is Iran, which is strongly opposed to the Islamic State but has so far remained outside the international coalition being assembled. It’s unclear whether Iran also was informed in advance of the airstrikes. But Russia, another ally of Assad’s government, complained Tuesday that the attacks violated international law.Among Assad’s backers is Iran, which is strongly opposed to the Islamic State but has so far remained outside the international coalition being assembled. It’s unclear whether Iran also was informed in advance of the airstrikes. But Russia, another ally of Assad’s government, complained Tuesday that the attacks violated international law.
The Syrian state news agency SANA said that the United States had informed Syria’s representative to the United Nations that it would carry out airstrikes. A letter from Secretary of State John F. Kerry also was delivered to Syria’s foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, on Monday, informing him of the United States’ intention to target Islamic State positions “some of which are in Syria,” the news agency said. Syria’s state-run SANA news agency said that the United States had informed Syria’s representative to the United Nations that it would carry out airstrikes. Psaki confirmed the contact, but did not say when it occurred.
She denied, however, the SANA report that Secretary of State John F. Kerry sent a letter to Syria’s foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, on Monday to inform him of the United States’ intention to target Islamic State positions.
Syria had previously said that it would consider strikes against Islamic State targets on is territory an act of aggression unless they were carried out in coordination with Damascus.Syria had previously said that it would consider strikes against Islamic State targets on is territory an act of aggression unless they were carried out in coordination with Damascus.
Moallem stressed that air strikes in Syria would have limited success without collaboration with forces on the ground, SANA reported. The comments appeared an effort to further bolster strategic coordination with Washington despite Obama’s proposal to aid “moderate” rebels as proxy fighters against the Islamic State.Moallem stressed that air strikes in Syria would have limited success without collaboration with forces on the ground, SANA reported. The comments appeared an effort to further bolster strategic coordination with Washington despite Obama’s proposal to aid “moderate” rebels as proxy fighters against the Islamic State.
An activist in Syria, Abo Jilan, said 18 airstrikes were carried out in the north-central city of Raqqah.An activist in Syria, Abo Jilan, said 18 airstrikes were carried out in the north-central city of Raqqah.
“Seven of them hit the main headquarters’’ of the Islamic State and left it “hugely damaged,” said Jilan, who runs the group Raqqah is Being Silently Slaughtered.“Seven of them hit the main headquarters’’ of the Islamic State and left it “hugely damaged,” said Jilan, who runs the group Raqqah is Being Silently Slaughtered.
Murphy reported from Washington.Murphy reported from Washington.