DHAKA: The US and allied nations have launched the first air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria, reported BBC quoting Pentagon sources.

Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm John Kirby said fighter and bomber jets and Tomahawk missiles were used in the attack.

The strikes were expected as part of President Barack Obama’s pledge to “degrade and destroy” IS, which has taken huge swathes of Syria and Iraq.

The US has already undertaken 190 air strikes in Iraq since August.

BDST: 0831 HRS, SEP 23, 2014