The U.S. military is carrying out an average of five strikes a day against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) since the campaign began in August, according to the Pentagon.
A U.S. Central Command spokesman said Thursday that 209 airstrikes had been carried out in Iraq and 30 in Syria since Aug. 8, an average just under 5 strikes a day.
That figure does not include airstrikes conducted by partner nations, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who joined the U.S. in striking ISIS in Syria this week.
The pace of strikes has caused frustration among some Republicans, who say the administration is moving too slowly against ISIS.
“116,000 air strikes in the first Gulf War when Kuwait was invaded were done in a matter of several weeks,” Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said Thursday on CNN.
Royce said he supported President Obama’s strategy of an expanded air campaign in Iraq and Syria backed by an international coalition, and training and arms for local forces. But said the campaign must be a “robust effort.”
“I think if we pick up the pace, we’re going to see a lot of discouraged young men who may want to take their Western passports right now and get on a plane because … they think ISIS is winning,” he said.
Officials say they are focused on the overall effect of the strikes and not the number of air attacks or amount of munitions dropped. They add, though, that it is too soon to tell how effective the strikes are.