DHAKA: At least 70 IS fighters were killed by the air strikes in Syria, activists of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights say.

Earlier, the US and five Arab allies launched the first strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria, reports the BBC.

The Pentagon said warplanes, drones and Tomahawk missiles were used in the attacks, which targeted several areas including IS stronghold Raqqa.

Syria’s foreign ministry said its UN envoy was informed about the strikes against IS, which controls large swathes of Syria and Iraq.

Activists say at least 70 IS militants were killed in the strikes.

The US has already launched about 190 air strikes in Iraq since August. However, Monday’s action expands the campaign against the militant group across the border into Syria.

Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm John Kirby confirmed the operation, saying ‘US military and partner nation forces’ had undertaken military action in Syria.

US Central Command (Centcom) said Sunni Arab countries Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ‘participated in or supported’ the strikes.

** US launches air strikes in Syria

BDST: 1916 HRS, SEP 23, 2014