US Military Neutralizes 25 ISIL Combatants in Syria

US Conducts Attack Campaign in Syria

The United States military has reported the killing or capturing of approximately 25 ISIL (ISIS) militants following a series of attacks conducted over nine days in Syria. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, issued a statement on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of the month’s actions.

The campaign was initiated after the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, shot by an ISIL militant in Syria on December 13, followed six days later by a series of American airstrikes against the group. "US Central Command (CENTCOM) and partners in Syria killed at least seven ISIS members and captured the rest during 11 missions carried out between December 20 and December 29," the CENTCOM statement read. "The operations also led to the elimination of four ISIS weapons caches."

While identities of the targeted individuals were not disclosed, the US has deployed up to 2,000 soldiers in Syria since the fight against ISIL began in 2014. Currently, the number of American soldiers stands at approximately 1,000, and the administration of former President Donald Trump announced earlier this year its intention to further reduce the number of bases and troops in the country.

ISIL controlled vast areas in Syria and Iraq from 2014 to 2019. Despite the loss of territory, US officials maintain that remnants of ISIL continue to pose a threat to the region. The American military has long collaborated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), predominantly Kurdish, in northeastern Syria. Since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last year, CENTCOM has stated that it is working with the new Syrian government, which officially joined the US-led global coalition against ISIL last month.

The initial strikes on December 19 against ISIL targeted "70 sites with more than 100 precision munitions." "The massive assault, executed by dozens of fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery, destroyed ISIS infrastructure and weapon sites in central Syria," CENTCOM added, noting that the attacks were carried out in coordination with Jordanian forces.

CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper stated that the US "will not stop" in the fight against remnants of ISIL. "Continuing the hunt for terrorist operatives, eliminating ISIS networks, and collaborating with partners to prevent a resurgence of ISIS makes America, the region, and the world safer," he said.