Obama Talks Airstrikes, Says U.S. Will 'Do What's Necessary' To Stop Terrorists
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- President Barack Obama backed up his tough talk with action. On Tuesday, he described the joint U.S.-Arab airstrikes on terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq.
As CBS 2's Marcia Kramer reported, a resolute Obama announced the first attacks on the Islamic State group in Syria -- a series of raids on militants who have slaughtered thousands of people, beheaded Westerners -- including two American journalists --and captured large swaths of Syria and northern and western Iraq.
"We're going to do what's necessary to take the fight to this terrorist group for the security of the country, for the region and for the entire world,'' Obama said as he left Washington for meetings of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.
The airstrikes against ISIS targets were carried out in the city of Raqqa and other areas in eastern Syria.
The U.S. and five Arab nations attacked the Islamic State group's headquarters in nighttime raids Monday using land- and sea-based U.S. aircraft, as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from two Navy ships in the Red Sea and the northern Persian Gulf.
As CBS 2's Jessica Schneider reported, the airstrikes were captured on video by U.S. Central Command. There were more than 200 strikes in a period of 24 hours, and 14 targets were hit on the ground.
As WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reported, while there is support for airstrikes against ISIS, U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said it is important not to lose focus.
"The concern that we may take our eye off the largest ball, and that is Iran," he said.
"We are calling out the one nation of the region which has the shameful distinction against all others of decades-long support for the very terrorist entities that are now threatening the region," City Councilman Mark Levine (D-7th) added.
Elizabeth Velez, with the group Iran 180, said the easing of sanctions against Iran is a mistake without addressing human rights, nuclear ambitions and the funding of terrorist groups.
"The concern is that Iran can't take the backseat," she said. "ISIL or ISIS has lulled us into thinking that perhaps there's a bigger threat in terrorism. But the root of it is always going to be Iran."
Obama said the U.S. was "proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder" with Arab partners, and he called the roll: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar.
American forces also launched a simultaneous strike against a shadowy network of al Qaeda veterans known as the Khorasan Group, which officials said has "significant explosive skills" and was imminently plotting against the United States and Western Europe."
Lt. Gen. William Mayville, who directs operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Khorasan Group was nearing "the execution phase of an attack either in Europe or the homeland."
The nature of the attack is a stunning plot to use a bomb or bombs made of a non-metallic device, toothpaste container, and clothing dipped in explosive material, Kramer reported, with sources saying also that one option involved concealed bombs on airplanes, like the underwear bomber from a few years ago.
"It must be clear to anyone who would plot against America or try to do Americans harm that we will not tolerate safe havens for terrorists who threaten our people," Obama said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday he does not believe New Yorkers will see profound differences in NYPD tactics as a result of any plotting by the Khorasan Group.
"We are the No. 1 terror target in the United States," the mayor told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb. "We were yesterday. We will be tomorrow. We will be for years to come.
"It doesn't change our strategic approach," de Blasio added. "We have a thousand officers devoted to counterterrorism. NYPD has outposts all over the world. We're keenly aware of each and every move."
Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the top American military official, said the timing of the strikes on the Khorasan Group was influenced by a concern that word of strikes in eastern Syria could prompt the al Qaeda veterans to disperse.
Former CIA Deputy Director Mike Morell said the hit against Khorasan was key.
"These eight strikes in northwestern Syria, a long way from the ISIS targets, (were) very, very important," said Morell, a CBS News security consultant. "We hit explosive manufacturing facilities. We hit training sites. We hit command and control sites, all in an attempt to disrupt Khorasan."
Pentagon officials called the offensive "very successful" and said there is more to come.
"This is the beginning of a sustained and persistent campaign to degrade and destroy ISIL," Mayville said.
At the U.N. General Assembly, Obama was expected to seek a Security Council resolution demanding that countries toughen their laws to stop their citizens from traveling abroad to join groups like ISIS.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton has said the NYPD is preparing for the possibility that some of the 100 Americans who have joined the Islamic State could come back to the New York area. Security expert Robert Strang told Kramer tracking is complicated.
"We infiltrate the communities with informants, with undercover agents. We use wire taps. We monitor social media and emails," Strang said.
This comes as ISIS released a threatening message to the U.S. and the West which said in part, "You will not feel secure even in your bedrooms."
The group feels that tough talk boosts its prestige and helps recruit the so-called "lone wolves" to attack in the U.S., Kramer reported.
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