The US and its Arab allies have launched air strikes against Islamic States targets in Syria. Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates joined the US in the strikes targeting IS militants, training compounds, headquarters and command and control facilities, storage facilities, a finance centre, supply trucks and armed vehicles, according to the US Department of Defense.

Fourteen strikes were conducted on the de facto IS capital Raqqa and other towns across northern Syria by “a mix of fighter, bomber, remotely piloted aircraft and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles”, a statement said.

The DoD said they also conducted eight air strikes on Al Qaeda targets near the Syrian town of Aleppo.

“The United States conducted these strikes as part of the President's comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL. Going forward, the U.S. military will continue to conduct targeted airstrikes against ISIL in Syria and Iraq as local forces go on the offensive against this terrorist group,” the statement further said.

US President Barack Obama hailed the support of the Arab countries, saying he was "proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with these nations".

"This is not America's fight alone," he added.

"We're going to do what's necessary to take the fight to this terrorist group [...] We will not tolerate safe havens for terrorists who threaten our people."