US President, Barack Obama, who will set out a broad long-term strategy to defeat the Islamic State in a speech to Americans on Wednesday evening, is prepared to authorise air strikes against the group in Syria, U.S. officials said.
Pursuing the Islamist radicals inside Syria would complement an expanded military campaign to back government forces in Iraq following the formation of a more inclusive government in Baghdad.
Obama has promised not to send combat troops back to the region, but he is expected to announce a commitment to provide more arms and training to rebel groups in Syria, a key element in any campaign of air attacks there.
The groups were formed with U.S. encouragement to try to oust President Bashar al-Assad, but Washington did not provide them with the weapons they needed and they have been eclipsed by Islamist and al Qaeda-associated movements.
After more than 150 U.S. air strikes in Iraq in the last month, Iraqi and Kurdish forces have halted the Islamic State advance. Obama has signaled for days that he is willing to expand the mission to Syria, headquarters of the organization responsible for beheading two American journalists.
That is a significant shift for a president who has been reluctant to increase the U.S. military footprint in the region and three years ago pulled out the last combat troops from Iraq.
The president is scheduled to speak at 01:00 GMT on Thursday, an evening time slot that raises the profile and the stakes for his speech, which is one day before the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and the Pentagon.
“Tonight you will hear … how the United States will pursue a comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, including U.S. military action and support for the forces combating ISIL on the ground,” a White House official said, using an acronym for the Islamic State.
“The president will discuss how we are building a coalition of allies and partners in the region and in the broader international community to support our efforts.”
With the speech, Obama is trying to build on the support that has grown among the American public for military action, partly fueled by anger over the beheading of the journalists, and also appeal to likely international partners.
Obama spoke to Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah earlier on Wednesday as part of that effort and Secretary of State John Kerry, now visiting Baghdad, will be meeting with leaders across the region in the coming days.
The president told congressional leaders on Tuesday he does not need additional authorization to carry out his plan but the White House is eager to have their support along with that of the international community.