[WATCH] Airstrikes over Syria could last years, say military leaders

US strikes against ISIL • USS Arleigh Burke launches Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles

The U.S.-led airstrikes mounted in Syria over the past two days are the opening salvo of what is likely to be a years-long campaign to root out al-Qaeda-linked terrorists and Islamic State fighters from the war-torn country, according to military leaders.

Bombings in Syria will continue into the foreseeable future, Defense Department officials said. After initial strikes in Syria, U.S. warplanes returning to their home base blasted two trucks, U.S. Central Command reported in a statement.

The strategy announced by President Obama involves airstrikes and training, advising and equipping local forces to battle the militants.

The second and third waves of attacks late Monday and early Tuesday, launched by U.S. and Arab warplanes, struck Islamic State headquarters buildings and barracks among other targets. The bulk of the attacks were conducted by U.S. aircraft using precision munitions.

The initial attacks on militant targets in Syria were, according to military sources, intended to relieve pressure on Iraqi security forces. The Islamic State is headquartered in Syria and trains and resupplies its forces from bases there for their campaign in Iraq.