Washington, September 23 (RHC)-- The Pentagon has confirmed that the United States and its allies have started airstrikes against the ISIL terrorist group in Syria. Rear Admiral John Kirby, Pentagon spokesman, said: "I can confirm that U.S. military and partner nation forces are undertaking military action against ISIL terrorists in Syria using a mix of fighter, bomber and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles."

In a statement issued on Monday night, the U.S. military leader added that the head of U.S. Central Command, General Lloyd Austin, decided to launch airstrikes inside Syria on Monday "under authorization granted [to] him by the commander in chief."

The ISIL terrorists, who were initially trained by the CIA in Jordan in 2012 to destabilize the Syrian government, control large parts of Syria's northern territory. ISIL sent its fighters into Iraq in June, quickly seizing vast expanse of land straddling the border between the two countries.

U.S. President Barack Obama has authorized airstrikes against ISIL targets in Iraq and Syria, but has ruled out U.S. 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.

Last week, Congress approved Obama's plan to train and arm the so-called moderate militants in Syria to tackle the threat of the ISIL terrorist organization. The Pentagon plans to train and arm 5,000 militants in Syria as part of the Obama administration's long-term strategy to confront ISIL.