U.S. May Being Launching Airstrikes Against ISIS Targets In The Philippines

A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone sits armed with Hellfire missiles and a 500-pound bomb in a hanger at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan March 9, 2016. Josh Smith / Reuters file

NBC: U.S. May Begin Airstrikes Against ISIS in Philippines

The Pentagon is considering a plan that allows the U.S. military to conduct airstrikes on ISIS in the Philippines, two defense officials told NBC News.

The authority to strike ISIS targets as part of collective self-defense could be granted as part of an official military operation that may be named as early as Tuesday, said the officials. The strikes would likely be conducted by armed drones.

If approved, the U.S. military would be able to conduct strikes against ISIS targets in the Philippines that could be a threat to allies in the region, which would include the Philippine forces battling ISIS on the ground in the country's southern islands.

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Update #1: US provides drones to help Philippines fight pro-IS militants (SCMP)
Update #2: U.S. to maintain military role in southern Philippines, as fight against ISIS affiliates rages (Washington Times)

WNU editor: No debate in Congress. The media and pundit class absent. I thought I would never see the day when the U.S. makes the decision to intervene in what is becoming a major conflict, and there is minimal coverage of it. As for the Philippines .... this is an ominous sign that things are going to get worse .... Philippine president to ask Congress for 20,000 new troops to fight extremists (Reuters).