US forces capture or kill 25 ISIL militants in Syria operation

US Military Completes Operations Against ISIL in Central Syria

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has concluded a series of operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in central Syria, following the killing of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter by an ISIL gunman on December 13. The operation, which took place over nine days from December 20 to 29, resulted in the deaths or capture of approximately 25 ISIL fighters.

According to CENTCOM, the operations involved 11 missions, during which at least seven ISIL members were killed and the remainder captured. Four ISIL weapons caches were also eliminated as a result of the operation. The identities of those targeted have not been released.

The US military has maintained a presence in Syria since 2014, with a deployment of up to 2,000 soldiers initially. However, the current number of US soldiers in the country is approximately 1,000. In recent months, the administration announced plans to further reduce the number of US bases and soldiers in the region.

ISIL controlled large areas in Syria and Iraq from 2014 to 2019, but remnants of the group continue to pose a threat to the region. The US military has cooperated with the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the new Syrian government in efforts to combat ISIL.

The operation was conducted in coordination with Jordanian forces and involved “massive strikes” against ISIL targets across central Syria, according to CENTCOM. The commander of CENTCOM, Brad Cooper, stated that the US will continue to pursue ISIL remnants and work with partners to prevent a resurgence of the group.

The fight against ISIL is one of several security challenges facing Syria, which has seen sporadic clashes between government forces and SDF fighters.

Source: Al Jazeera