US President Barack Obama has authorized surveillance flights over Syria, a move that could pave the way for US airstrikes against the extremist group of Islamic State militant targets.
"We’re a planning organization here. We have to be prepared for all kinds of options. And with respect to providing military options, we’re going to be ready to do that. But I’m not going to get into the details," said US Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby.
US officials say that surveillance drones and spy planes had begun flying over Syria on the orders of President Barack Obama. Obama is considering a series of military options against the extremist group, that also killed an American, journalist James Foley, and is holding an American woman hostage.
The Islamic State insurgent group is headquartered in the Syrian city of Raqqah and has been fighting the al-Assad government, though it is also at war with moderate rebels who have received arms and funding from the US.