The US military has intensified its operations against the Islamic State group in Syria this month, conducting over 30 targeted strikes aimed at diminishing the jihadist threat in the region. This surge of activity follows a tragic incident last December when two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an IS ambush in Palmyra.
According to a statement released by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the military executed 10 air strikes between February 3 and February 12, focusing on IS infrastructure and weapons storage sites. This latest offensive is part of a broader strategy to maintain relentless pressure on the remnants of the terrorist network. Additionally, from January 27 to February 2, US forces carried out five strikes targeting an IS communication site, a critical logistics hub, and various weapons storage facilities.
The recent military actions came in the wake of a December ambush attributed to an IS fighter, who was reportedly a member of the Syrian security forces. The incident raised alarms and prompted the launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike. CENTCOM indicated that more than 50 IS militants have either been killed or captured, and over 100 IS-related infrastructure targets have been hit with precision munitions as part of ongoing operations spanning the past two months.
In tandem with the air strikes, CENTCOM announced the completion of a significant transfer of more than 5,700 detained IS suspects to Iraq. This operation, which began last month, was prompted by escalating concerns over the future of IS prisoners as the Syrian regime regained control of territory around Kurdish-run prisons.
Historically, the US has collaborated closely with Kurdish-led forces, particularly during the battle that led to the territorial defeat of ISIS in Syria in 2019. However, recent statements suggest a shift in Washington’s approach, as it appears to be reevaluating its alliance with the Kurdish forces, particularly as Syria’s government seeks to consolidate its control across the country.
Amid these developments, US forces confirmed their withdrawal from the Al-Tanf military base, strategically located near Syria’s borders with Jordan and Iraq. This transition underscores the evolving landscape of US military engagement in Syria amidst a complex and changing regional security environment.
