Washington – Obama Vows To Use Air Power Against IS ‘Wherever They Exist’

Washington – President Barack Obama says the United States will wage a military campaign that will target Islamic State fighters with airstrikes “wherever they exist.”

He’s indicating the U.S. will expand its air campaign across the Iraqi border to Islamic State targets in Syria.

Obama will deliver a major address Wednesday evening laying out his plan to deepen the U.S. military role in the Middle East.

In excerpts released in advance, Obama says the U.S. will lead a broad coalition to degrade and then destroy the Islamic State.

Obama says the campaign won’t involve U.S. combat troops on the ground. He says it’s different from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and mirrors U.S. counterterrorism efforts in Yemen and Somalia. The U.S. has launched drone strikes in those countries for years.