The United States and Israel on Sunday launched dozens of strikes against targets inside Syria amid concerns that extremists and terrorist groups could exploit the current situation in Syria following the dramatic fall of the ruling Assad regime. carried out air strikes.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced It’s over 75.” [Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham] ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria are conducting precision airstrikes.
CENTCOM added that it aimed to attack targets to “disrupt, weaken and defeat ISIS” and ensure that ISIS cannot exploit the country's current situation to regroup in central Syria. Ta.
Centcom noted that there was no indication that any civilians were killed in the airstrike.
“There is no question: We will not allow ISIS to regroup and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” said CENTCOM Commander General Michael Eric Kurilla. “All organizations in Syria should know that we will be held accountable if we partner with or support ISIS in any way.” (Related: US kills dozens of terrorists in overseas airstrikes)
President Joe Biden mentions airstrikes from the White House said“We are clearly aware of the fact that ISIS will try to use any vacuum to recover its capabilities and establish a safe haven. We will not let that happen.”
Please join us as we discuss the latest developments in Syria. https://t.co/mun5CjRiSs
— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2024
Biden also said the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year regime was an “act of basic justice” given that his regime tortured and killed hundreds of thousands of people. said. It was also “a moment of historic opportunity for the patient Syrian people to build a better future for their proud country.” (Related: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad loses power and flees to Russia)
This latest development was a “moment of risk and uncertainty,” Biden added. He said the United States will work with regional allies and Syrian stakeholders to reduce risks and work with the United Nations (UN) to establish a transition to an independent and sovereign Syria with a new constitution.
In addition to the U.S. military action, suspected Israeli airstrikes also hit multiple targets in southern and southwest Syria. The airstrikes hit ammunition depots and weapons depots at Suwaida Air Base in southern Syria, as well as several areas in Daraa governorate and the Syrian capital Damascus. According to To the Times of Israel.
Targets in Damascus included an air base, key security facilities, a branch of the state military research institute, and the central square where Syria's intelligence and customs headquarters are located, the newspaper said.
When the Syrian army abandoned its base overnight, it left behind a large cache of rockets and missiles at the Suweida air base. According to to Reuters. The airstrike was reportedly a pre-emptive strike to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “We must take action against possible threats'' warned.
However, Israel did not acknowledge the attack, Reuters reported.
Today is a historic day for the Middle East. The fall of the tyrannical Assad regime in Damascus presents great opportunities, but also grave dangers.
We want all the people across the border in Syria: the Druze, the Kurds, and… pic.twitter.com/yJZE3AZZJn
– Benjamin Netanyahu December 8, 2024
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Syrian army's abandonment of positions in the country marked the end of the 50-year separation of forces agreement between Israel and Syria, and called for a “temporary” occupation by Israeli forces to avoid capture by rival forces. added that it became necessary.
“We emphasize that: [Israel Defense Forces] “We do not interfere in internal affairs in Syria,” the IDF said. said.
IDF too announced It helped repel an attack by “armed individuals” on a UN post in the southern Syrian village of Hader.
