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Syria claims advance notification of U.S. airstrikes

The Syrian government said Tuesday that it received advance notification regarding the U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State militants inside Syria, a claim that runs contrary to the U.S. Administration's insistence that no such notification would be provided.

By JC Finley
Sailors stand watch on the bridge while Tomahawk cruise missiles are launched aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) in the Arabian Gulf against Islamic State bases in Syria on September 23, 2014. Joint U.S.-Arab airstrikes launched attacks against the terrorist group IS, also called ISIS or ISIL. (UPI/Abe McNatt/U.S. Navy)
1 of 2 | Sailors stand watch on the bridge while Tomahawk cruise missiles are launched aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) in the Arabian Gulf against Islamic State bases in Syria on September 23, 2014. Joint U.S.-Arab airstrikes launched attacks against the terrorist group IS, also called ISIS or ISIL. (UPI/Abe McNatt/U.S. Navy) | License Photo

DAMASCUS, Syria, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Hours after the U.S.-led airstrikes began overnight, targeting Islamic State militants (also known as ISIS or ISIL), Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement claiming it had been given advance warning by the U.S. that the airstrikes would be launched.

The statement, broadcast on state TV, read: "Yesterday (Monday) the Foreign Minister, Walid Muallem, received a letter from his American counterpart John Kerry via the Iraqi foreign minister, in which he informed him that the United States would target the terrorist group ISIS in Syria."

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Such a statement would be at odds with the U.S. Administration's insistence that it would not inform the Syrian government of any potential airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants inside Syria.

The U.S. is hesitant to do anything that would overtly signal collaboration with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. "Joining forces with Assad would essentially permanently alienate the Sunni population in both Syria and Iraq, who are necessary to dislodging ISIL," deputy National Security Adviser Benjamin J. Rhodes said last month.

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The U.S.-led airstrikes targeted the defacto IS headquarters in the Syrian city of Raqqa, as well as bases, checkpoints and training centers of the militant Islamic group in at least four Syrian provinces. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar joined the United States in the military operation, although it is unclear to what degree they were involved.

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