Summary: The US military says roughly 25 ISIL fighters were killed or captured in a nine-day campaign in Syria. CENTCOM reported at least seven killed and the remainder detained during 11 missions from Dec. 20–29, and said four weapons caches were destroyed. Initial strikes on Dec. 19 hit about 70 targets with more than 100 precision munitions. The operations were carried out in coordination with regional partners, including Jordan and local forces.
US Says About 25 ISIL Fighters Killed or Captured During Nine-Day Syria Operations
A US military convoy travels in northeastern Syria's Hasakeh province [File: Bernat Armangue/AP Photo]
The United States military reported that roughly 25 ISIL (ISIS) fighters were killed or captured during a concentrated series of operations across Syria over nine days in December.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military activities in the Middle East, issued a statement on Tuesday summarizing the campaign. CENTCOM said the operations followed an ISIL attack on Dec. 13 that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter, and a large set of US strikes six days later.
According to CENTCOM, 11 missions conducted between Dec. 20 and Dec. 29 resulted in at least seven ISIL fighters killed while the remaining suspects were captured. The operations also destroyed four weapons caches linked to the group.
On Dec. 19, CENTCOM said initial strikes hit about 70 targets using more than 100 precision munitions. The command described the action as a "massive strike executed by dozens of fighter aircraft, attack helicopters and artillery" and said the operations were coordinated with Jordanian forces.
“Continuing to hunt down terrorist operatives, eliminate ISIS networks, and work with partners to prevent an ISIS resurgence makes America, the region, and the world safer,” CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper said in the statement, adding the US "will not relent" in pursuing ISIL remnants.
At the height of the campaign against ISIL, the US had deployed as many as 2,000 troops in Syria. CENTCOM says current US troop levels in the country are about 1,000 after reductions announced earlier in the year.
Though ISIL lost its territorial caliphate in Syria and Iraq by 2019, US officials continue to warn that militants and sleeper cells pose a persistent threat across the region. The US military has long partnered with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria; CENTCOM also noted coordination with other local and regional partners in these recent missions.
These operations come amid a broader reorientation of US foreign policy priorities and continued regional tensions. Sporadic clashes persist across Syria between government forces and various local armed groups, while tensions with neighboring states add to the country’s complex security picture.
What CENTCOM did not disclose: the identities of the individuals targeted in these missions and many operational details were not released in the public statement.
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