The US military announced that airstrikes in Syria have killed 37 militants affiliated with extremist groups, including the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen. The strikes targeted militant positions in northwestern and central Syria in two separate operations, according to a statement from US Central Command on Sunday, reports Reuters.
The first airstrike occurred on Tuesday in northwestern Syria, where US forces targeted a senior figure from Hurras al-Deen, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, along with eight others. The U.S. military said the senior militant had been overseeing military operations in the region. This strike marked a critical blow to Hurras al-Deen, a group that has continued to plot and coordinate attacks despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The second airstrike, conducted earlier on September 16, was a “large-scale” operation targeting an IS training camp in central Syria. This strike resulted in the deaths of 28 militants, including at least four key Syrian IS leaders. US officials said the strike was aimed at disrupting IS operations, significantly hindering their capacity to plan and carry out attacks against US interests, as well as against allied and partner forces.
“The airstrike will disrupt ISIS’ capability to conduct operations against US interests, as well as our allies and partners,” read a statement from US Central Command.
These airstrikes are part of the ongoing US efforts to prevent a resurgence of IS in Syria, where remnants of the group have continued to operate despite losing much of the territory they once held in both Syria and Iraq. Currently, there are around 900 US military personnel in Syria, along with an undisclosed number of contractors. The U.S. forces work primarily with their local allies, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who have played a crucial role in battling IS.
The U.S. military presence in northeastern Syria is strategically significant, as it is near areas where Iran-backed militant groups operate. These groups are concentrated in regions close to the border with Iraq, a key route for arms and personnel moving between Iran, Syria, and Iraq.