The head of Syria's main Western-backed opposition group on Thursday called for immediate U.S. airstrikes targeting the Islamic State group in Syria, saying urgent action was required "to avert catastrophe."
Hadi Bahra spoke at a press conference at the United Nations as intense fighting continued between the extremist group and Kurdish forces near the Syrian frontier with Turkey, triggering a massive surge of refugees fleeing across the border. The Islamic State group offensive in the area has already sent 130,000 refugees to seek safety in Turkey in the last few days.
"We must begin airstrikes in Syria — immediately as we speak. Time is of essence to avert catastrophe," Bahra said. "Every day that passes without airstrikes in Syria allows ISIS (the Islamic State group) the opportunity for more growth and more terror," he said.
President Barack Obama has said he is prepared to strike the extremist group in Syria, but so far has only ordered attacks on Islamic State targets in Iraq. The group holds roughly one third of each of the neighboring countries. The U.S. Congress has also approved arming and training vetted Syrian opposition units as a ground force to complement U.S. airstrikes.