President Obama addresses the nation about Syrian airstrikes

Just after 10:00 am (EST), President Obama addressed the nation about the airstrikes carried out in Syria last night. The President stated the strikes were carried out under “my order,” but we were not alone in our effort.

 
The United States was joined by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordon while striking key targets in Syria last night. The President reinforced that this is a joint effort to disrupt ISIL and the U.S. has no intentions of committing to another ground war.

 
Forty other nations have also volunteered to train and equip the Syrian opposition as well as take out key ISIL targets within Syria. According to the President, last night’s strikes also successfully eliminated an immediate threat to the United States. An Al-Qaeda affiliate group in Syria, that has been plotting an attack on the U.S., was destroyed.

 
In the next few days, President Obama will meet with Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, and friends and allies at the United Nations to discuss future plans to combat ISIL.

 
The President immediately stepped off the podium, after making his statement, declining to take questions. One reporter asked what most Americans might be thinking: “Is the United States in danger?”