The United States has carried out what officials described as a “massive” military strike against Islamic State (IS) targets in central Syria, in one of the largest U.S. offensives against the extremist group in recent years. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces hit dozens of IS positions using a combination of fighter jets, attack helicopters and long-range rocket systems in a coordinated operation aimed at degrading the group’s ability to plan and carry out attacks.
U.S. officials said the strikes targeted weapons depots, command centres, training sites and hideouts used by IS fighters operating in remote desert areas. The operation followed a deadly ambush earlier this month near the Syrian city of Palmyra, in which two U.S. service members and an American interpreter were killed. Washington said the latest action was a direct response to that attack and was intended to deter further assaults on U.S. and allied forces in the region.
Defense officials described the operation as precise and intelligence-driven, stressing that it was designed to limit civilian harm while delivering a strong message to IS remnants attempting to regroup. CENTCOM said the strikes significantly disrupted extremist networks and eliminated multiple fighters, though the full impact is still being assessed. Independent monitors have not yet verified casualty figures.
Regional partners were also involved, with Jordan confirming that its air force took part in the operation alongside U.S. forces. While relations between Washington and Damascus remain strained, Syrian authorities have previously acknowledged a shared interest in preventing IS from re-establishing a foothold inside the country.
The United States maintains roughly 1,000 troops in Syria as part of an ongoing counterterrorism mission, despite IS losing most of the territory it once controlled. U.S. officials warned that further action could follow if the group continues to pose a threat, underlining Washington’s commitment to preventing the resurgence of the extremist organization in Syria and the wider region.
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