U.S. Military Targets Islamic State in Syria, Nearly 25 Killed or Captured

The U.S. military has reported that nearly 25 operatives of the Islamic State (IS) were either killed or captured in Syria during recent operations. These actions come in the wake of a deadly ambush on December 13, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. troops and an American civilian interpreter. U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, detailed the developments in a statement released on X.

In the past ten days, U.S. forces conducted 11 missions targeting IS assets, following initial airstrikes on December 19 that struck approximately 70 targets across central Syria. According to U.S. Central Command, these operations have led to the death of at least seven IS members, the capture of additional fighters, and the destruction of four weapons caches.

Increased Collaboration with Syrian Forces

Adm. Brad Cooper, the leader of U.S. Central Command, emphasized the commitment to eradicating the IS threat. “We will not relent,” he stated, underlining the ongoing collaboration with regional partners aimed at enhancing security in both the U.S. and the broader region.

Recent military efforts have shifted focus to monitoring and targeting a range of IS operatives, from senior leaders to lower-level fighters. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted that the evolving relationship between the United States and Syria’s new government has enabled operations in areas where U.S. forces previously had limited presence.

The official likened the current cooperation to the successful partnership between the U.S. and Iraq in combating IS a decade ago, indicating a strategic goal of eventually transferring full responsibility for security operations to Syrian forces.

Response to Deadly Ambush

The latest military actions were triggered by the ambush near the ancient city of Palmyra, where U.S. and Syrian security officials were meeting. The attack resulted in the deaths of two members of the Iowa National Guard and a civilian interpreter from Michigan, alongside injuries to three other U.S. personnel and Syrian security forces.

The assailant, who was killed during the confrontation, had reportedly joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard but had been reassigned due to suspicions regarding potential ties to IS, according to Syrian officials.

In the aftermath of the ambush, a retaliatory strike was executed against IS targets in Syria, involving fighter jets from Jordan. This operation marks a significant indication of the warming ties between the U.S. and Syria following the ousting of former leader Bashar Assad. Following the attack, President Donald Trump noted that Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, expressed being “extremely angry and disturbed.”

The U.S. military’s ongoing operations reflect a determined effort to dismantle the remnants of IS in Syria while navigating the complexities of regional alliances and security dynamics.