U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces completed a week-long series of operations targeting ISIS strongholds in Iraq and Syria from December 30, 2024, to January 6, 2025.
The coordinated efforts aimed to weaken the terror group’s operational capabilities and prevent future attacks on civilians and allied forces.
In Iraq, the operations focused on the Hamrin Mountains, where ISIS fighters had entrenched themselves in strategic positions. Coalition airstrikes, including the use of F-16s, F-15s, and A-10 aircraft, targeted these locations. During a critical phase of the mission, A-10 aircraft neutralized ISIS fighters who had taken refuge in a cave. These strikes disrupted ISIS’s ability to plan and execute attacks across the region.
Despite the operational success, the missions were not without cost. A Coalition member was killed, and two others sustained injuries during clashes with ISIS fighters. U.S. personnel suffered no casualties, and no American equipment was damaged.
In Syria, operations were conducted near Dayr az-Zawr, where Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by CENTCOM, targeted ISIS cells. From January 2 to 3, the SDF captured an ISIS attack cell leader, a significant achievement in countering the group’s activities.
The operations occurred against a backdrop of increasing instability in Syria, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Extremist groups, including ISIS, are exploiting the political vacuum to reestablish their presence. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), another militant group, is actively seeking to assert control, further complicating the security landscape.
The U.S. maintains a significant military presence in the region, with approximately 2,000 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq. These forces, alongside local partners, play a crucial role in ensuring that ISIS does not regain strength.