US united against Islamic State: Obama

The US Senate has approved Barack Obama's plan for training and equipping Syrian rebels, in a show of support he says shows unity.

US President Barack Obama says a bipartisan Senate vote to authorise arming and training Syrian rebels shows the world that Americans are united in combating the Islamic State group.

Obama spoke at the White House shortly after the Senate approved his plan for training and equipping Syrian rebels. The vote clears the measure for Obama's signature.

Obama said Islamic State terrorists thought they could frighten or intimidate the US through the barbaric murder of two Americans.

He says Americans don't give in to fear, but rather pull together and stand together.

US airstrikes against Islamic State targets will continue, but US troops won't have a combat role on the ground in Iraq or Syria.


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