The U.S. Air Force has carried out a large-scale operation against ISIS in Syria, targeting over 75 sites with coordinated airstrikes involving B-52 Stratofortress bombers, F-15 Eagle fighters, and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.
The strikes aimed to disrupt ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps in central Syria, according to U.S. Central Command (Centcom).
The operation follows significant upheaval in Syria, where rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad, leading to his reported flight to Russia.
Centcom emphasized that the mission is designed to prevent ISIS from regrouping and carrying out external operations. "There should be no doubt — we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria," Centcom Commander Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said in a statement following the strikes. "All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way."
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh highlighted continued collaboration with local partners like the Syrian Democratic Forces. Singh stressed that the U.S. mission remains focused on preventing ISIS from regaining a foothold in Syria.
This development comes as the region faces a historic shift following Assad’s overthrow. While this event creates new opportunities for Syrians, it also brings risks of instability.
"The Assad regime brutalized, tortured and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians and now, at long last, the Assad regime has fallen," she said. "That is a fundamental act of justice."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has engaged in talks with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler to ensure close coordination and to manage the volatile situation. Both leaders underscored the need for opposition groups to protect civilians and adhere to international humanitarian norms.
Battle damage assessments from the strikes are ongoing, with no civilian casualties reported.