Damascus: The US on Friday night launched a large-scale military operation in Syria aimed at dismantling the Islamic State (ISIS), marking one of the most significant American actions against the extremist group in recent months.
The operation began with US forces carrying out co-ordinated air and ground strikes against dozens of ISIS targets across central and eastern Syria. Military assets deployed included fighter aircraft, attack helicopters and precision-guided munitions, targeting militant hideouts, weapons storage facilities, command centres, and logistical networks.
American officials said the offensive was launched in response to a recent attack in which US military personnel were killed during an ambush by ISIS-linked fighters. The operation is intended to degrade the group’s remaining operational capabilities and prevent it from regrouping or launching further attacks.
According to defence officials, more than 70 ISIS positions were struck during the initial phase of the campaign. The strikes were described as deliberate and intelligence-driven, aimed at eliminating fighters and disrupting the group’s ability to operate across Syria’s vast desert regions.
The US currently maintains around 1,000 troops in Syria as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. Their mission focuses on supporting local partners, securing detention facilities holding ISIS militants, and preventing the group’s resurgence following the collapse of its territorial control.
