What it is about

The United States military conducted two targeted airstrikes in Syria, resulting in the elimination of 37 terrorists affiliated with the jihadist Islamic State group and an al-Qaeda-linked group. Among the dead were two senior terrorists.

Why it matters

The airstrikes signify a major blow to terrorist operations in the region, hampering the ability of these groups to organize and execute further attacks. It showcases the U.S.’s commitment to combating terrorism and its alignment with allied interests for a more stable Middle East.

The details

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command struck in northwestern Syria, targeting a senior terrorist from the al-Qaeda-linked Hurras al-Deen group along with eight others. This individual was responsible for overseeing military operations, impacting the capabilities of these extremists significantly.

A previous strike on September 16 focused on an Islamic State training camp in a remote area of central Syria. This “large-scale airstrike” resulted in the deaths of 28 terrorists, including at least four Syrian leaders. These actions are critical in disrupting ISIS’ capacity to threaten U.S. interests and their allies strategically positioned in the region.

The bigger picture

There are approximately 900 U.S. forces stationed in Syria, alongside numerous contractors. Their primary objective is to prevent any resurgence of extremist groups like ISIS, which had previously dominated large areas of Iraq and Syria.

These forces also play a supportive role to key allies in northeastern Syria, such as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The coordinated efforts take place near pivotal areas brimming with potential terrorist threats, including regions with Iran-backed groups.

This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.