U.S. Airstrikes Target ISIS in Syria
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that it has conducted 10 airstrikes, which took aim at over 30 ISIS targets. This operation comes as ISIS has recently escalated its activities in Syria, part of a broader military strategy to maintain pressure on what remains of the terrorist group.
CENTCOM reported that between February 3 and February 12, airstrikes were aimed specifically at ISIS infrastructure and weapons stashes, utilizing a mix of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, as well as drones.
Earlier, from January 27 to February 2, U.S. forces executed five additional strikes on key ISIS communications and logistics hubs, along with weapons storage facilities.
According to CENTCOM, these strikes underscore a commitment to preventing ISIS from regaining strength in Syria. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper remarked that cooperation with coalition and partner forces is crucial for the long-term defeat of ISIS, emphasizing that this effort is about enhancing security not just for the U.S., but also for the region and globally.
Operation Hawkeye Strike, initiated in response to a deadly ambush that resulted in the death of a U.S. soldier, aims to dismantle more than 30 ISIS strongholds. Notably, over 50 ISIS operatives have been either killed or captured, while hundreds of precision munitions have targeted over 100 ISIS infrastructure sites throughout this two-month operation.
On January 27, President Trump mentioned a productive conversation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, highlighting a positive outlook on developments in the region. He expressed satisfaction with how the situation in Syria is evolving, indicating that “everything related to Syria in this region is going very well.”
Recently, on Thursday, CENTCOM confirmed the completion of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the al-Tanf base in Syria, marking a noteworthy shift in U.S. operations in the area.
Operation Inherent Resolve, launched in 2014, has seen U.S. forces maintain a limited presence aimed at supporting partner forces and ensuring that ISIS does not return to regions where it had previously been defeated.
