At a Glance
- 25 ISIS operatives killed or captured in Syria this month
- Ambush near Palmyra killed two U.S. troops and a civilian interpreter
- 11 missions over 10 days, hitting 70 targets on Dec. 19
- Why it matters: The operation highlights intensified U.S. and Syrian cooperation to dismantle ISIS and protect regional security.
WASHINGTON (News Of Austin) – The U.S. military said Tuesday that nearly 25 operatives of the Islamic State group were killed or captured in Syria this month following an ambush that killed two U.S. troops and an American civilian interpreter.
US Military Operations in Syria
U.S. Central Command said it carried out 11 missions over the last 10 days, beginning with strikes on IS weapons sites on Dec. 19 that targeted 70 locations across central Syria. The operations have killed at least 7 IS members, captured others, and destroyed 4 weapons caches.
- 11 missions in 10 days
- 70 targets hit on Dec. 19
- 4 weapons caches eliminated
- At least 7 IS members killed
Adm. Brad Cooper said:
> “We will not relent. We are steadfast in commitment to working with regional partners to root out the ISIS threat posed to U.S. and regional security.”
Ambush Tragedy
The ambush occurred on Dec. 13 near the ancient city of Palmyra while American and Syrian officials met for lunch. Two Iowa National Guard members and a Michigan civilian interpreter were killed, and three other U.S. troops and Syrian security personnel were wounded. The gunman, a base security guard reassigned amid suspicions of IS affiliation, was killed by the attack.
President Donald Trump stated:
> “Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, was “extremely angry and disturbed by this attack.””
Cooperation with Syrian Forces
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, said the growing partnership with Syria’s new government has enabled U.S. forces to strike in areas previously off-limits. The official compared this cooperation to the U.S.-Iraq alliance against IS a decade ago, noting the ultimate goal is to hand over the effort fully to Syrian forces.
Key Takeaways
- 25 ISIS operatives were killed or captured in Syria this month.
- The ambush near Palmyra caused the loss of two U.S. troops and a civilian interpreter.
- U.S. and Syrian forces are increasingly working together to dismantle ISIS.
The operation underscores the deepening U.S. engagement in Syria and the continued threat posed by ISIS.
