US won’t bomb ISIL targets in Syria alone: Samantha Power

The United States will conduct airstrikes on the ISIL terrorist group in cooperation with other countries, said Samantha Power, Washington’s ambassador to the United Nations.

Speaking to ABC’s “This Week” host George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, Power said, “I will make you a prediction, George, which is that we will not do the airstrikes alone if the president decides to do the airstrikes.”

She said, however, the countries themselves will decide whether to join the US in its efforts to battle the terrorists.

“It will be up to each country to announce for itself whether it’s prepared to participate, whether in a combat role or to provide military equipment.”

Power also said that both President Barack Obama and the top US military officials agree not to use combat troops on the ground in Syria, adding there are already Syrian, Iraqi and Kurdish troops fighting the terrorists.

She went on to say that Obama is consulting with Chairman Martin Dempsey and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel who both believe the president’s strategy is feasible.

Last week, Congress approved Obama’s plan to train and arm so-called moderate militants in Syria to tackle the threat of ISIL.

Obama said on Saturday that Washington is ready to lead the fight against ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq, asking other countries to help the United States.

President Obama has authorized airstrikes against ISIL targets in Iraq and Syria, but has ruled out US boots on the ground in a combat role.

The United States has already conducted some 174 airstrikes against ISIL targets in Iraq since mid-August