US conducts airstrikes against ISIS in Syria
B-52s, F-15s, A-10s deployed
The US military has conducted dozens of precision airstrikes targeting ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria even as Syrian rebels conducted operations to end Bashar Al-Assad’s 50-year family rule after years of civil war.
The US airstrikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission by the US Central Command (Centcom) to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS to prevent the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria.
According to a Centcom statement, the US military operation on December 8-9 struck over 75 targets using multiple US Air Force assets, including long-range B-52 strategic bombers, F-15E Strike Eagle, and A-10 fighter jets. Battle damage assessments are underway, and civilian casualties are not indicated.
The US, together with allies and partners in the Middle East region, will continue to carry out military operations to degrade ISIS operational capabilities even during this dynamic period in Syria, according to Centcom.
“There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, Cenctom Commander, adding: All organisations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.”
US forces also conducted a strike against an Iranian-aligned militia weapons storage facility in Syria on November 25 in response to an Iranian-aligned attack against the US military operating in Syria.
Speaking after the strike on November 25, General Kurilla said: “As previously stated, we will not tolerate any attacks on our personnel and coalition partners. We are committed to taking all necessary actions to ensure their protection.”
The Assad government collapsed on December 8, 2024, after a surprise offensive by the Syrian rebels, with Assad and his family fleeing to Moscow. This shift ends over a decade of brutal civil war and reshapes regional alliances.
On December 8, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin spoke with Turkish Minister of National Defence Yasar Guler to discuss developments in Syria.
During the call, Austin emphasised that the US is watching the statements and actions of the various opposition groups in Syria closely following the ouster of the Assad regime in Syria.
Both he and Guler agreed that these groups must take steps to protect civilians, including ethnic and religious minorities, and abide by international humanitarian norms.
Austin and Guler both reaffirmed the importance of close coordination between the US and Turkey to prevent further escalation of an already volatile situation and avoid any risk to US forces and partners and the Defeat-ISIS Mission.
Hero image: US Air Force B-52s took part in the airstrikes on ISIS assets in Syria on December 8. Credit: Centcom
