Hagel: US air strikes to target jihadist 'safe havens' in Syria
9/16/2014 6:28:24 PM
Planned U.S. air strikes against Islamic State jihadists in Syria will target extremist sanctuaries, command centers and logistic networks, Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel told lawmakers Tuesday.
"This plan includes targeted actions against ISIL safe havens in Syria -- including its command and control, logistics capabilities, and infrastructure," Hagel told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
But the U.S. military's top-ranking officer, General Martin Dempsey, told the same hearing that the bombing would not resemble the large-scale raids that accompanied the start of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Commanders at the time dubbed the campaign a bid to provoke "shock and awe" among ex-dictator Saddam Hussein's troops.
"This will not look like 'shock and awe' because that is not how ISIL is organized, but it will be persistent and sustainable," Dempsey said.
"This plan includes targeted actions against ISIL safe havens in Syria -- including its command and control, logistics capabilities, and infrastructure," Hagel told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
But the U.S. military's top-ranking officer, General Martin Dempsey, told the same hearing that the bombing would not resemble the large-scale raids that accompanied the start of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Commanders at the time dubbed the campaign a bid to provoke "shock and awe" among ex-dictator Saddam Hussein's troops.
"This will not look like 'shock and awe' because that is not how ISIL is organized, but it will be persistent and sustainable," Dempsey said.