US conducts airstrikes on ISIS camps in Syria
Truman CSG now in the region
US Central Command (Centcom) forces have carried out precision airstrikes targeting ISIS camps and operatives in Syria. The Pentagon confirmed that the strikes were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle ISIS operations in the Middle East region. Initial assessments indicate that around a dozen ISIS fighters were killed, with no reports of civilian casualties.
Pentagon Press Secretary, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder reported that battle damage assessments are still underway, but initial findings suggest significant operational disruption to the terrorist group. He stressed that the airstrikes reflect Centcom’s continued commitment to degrading ISIS and preventing external threats emanating from Syria.
During a press briefing on December 16, Ryder was asked about concerns stemming from the recent collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8. The Pentagon was questioned whether this could lead to ISIS attempting to free its fighters from detention camps in Syria.
Ryder acknowledged the risks posed by the situation but reassured that the US is actively collaborating with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to manage the security of these facilities. He highlighted that a potential breakout would be a significant setback and remains a primary concern for US officials. In response, the US continues to provide an outer layer of security in the region while working with international partners to repatriate detainees and ensure they remain contained.
Ryder also discussed the broader presence of the US military in the region. He noted that the US focus remains on the proactive disruption of ISIS operations and that the forces are not only engaged in direct airstrikes but also in creating a secure environment to prevent any resurgence of ISIS-related activities.
Further strengthening the US presence in the Middle East, Ryder announced that the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) entered the region on December 14. This strategic deployment aims to ensure continued stability and security in the Region.
The strike group includes the flagship USS Harry S. Truman, Carrier Air Wing 1 with nine aviation squadrons, Destroyer Squadron 28, the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, and two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, USS Stout and USS Jason Dunham.
The Truman CSG’s arrival in the Middle East follows previous deployments by the USS Abraham Lincoln CSG and USS Theodore Roosevelt CSG in the region, underscoring a consistent US military presence there.
Hero image: US soldiers depart their base in a Bradley fighting vehicle convoy in Northeast Syria on December 10, 2024. Credit: US Army
Last Updated on 4 days by Arnold Pinto
