Five Arab states participated in or support airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria , the U.S. says . The United States has been conducting air strikes on Islamic State positions since September 2014 to help Syrian rebels fight back against an extremist group that controls large parts of Syria. Some of the Gulf states are concerned that the West blames them for ISIS 's rise , she says . But pro-opposition Syrians will ask why they did n't intervene against Assad , she says .
Five Arab states participated in or support airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria , the U.S. says . Jane Kinninmont says their support reflects concerns about security and reputation . Some of the Gulf states are concerned that the West blames them for ISIS 's rise , she says . But pro-opposition Syrians will ask why they did n't intervene against Assad , she says .