The US has begun surveillance flights over Syria, a move that could pave the way for airstrikes against Islamic State militant targets there.
President Barack Obama has authorised the missions in order to garner reliable intelligence in Syria.
The intelligence and surveillance flights include drones, which are unmanned, as well as manned aircraft. The AP news agency said the flights got under way early on Tuesday.
The US had already run some surveillance missions over Syria, but the current wave appears to focus on IS sites as possible targets.
The White House has said that Mr Obama has not approved military action inside Syria, but Pentagon officials have been drafting potential options for the president, including airstrikes
