US Military Conducts Airstrikes Against ISIS Targets in Syria

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The U.S. military has reported a series of airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria in retaliation for a December ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter. U.S. Central Command said American aircraft conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 IS targets between Feb. 3 and Thursday, hitting weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure. At least 50 members of IS have been killed or captured, while more than 100 IS targets have been struck since the U.S. began its strikes after the Dec. 13 attack.

Why it matters

The airstrikes represent the U.S. military's response to a deadly attack on American forces in Syria, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by ISIS and the continued U.S. counterterrorism operations in the region. The transfer of IS detainees from Syria to Iraq also highlights the challenges of managing captured militants as the fight against the terrorist group continues.

The details

According to U.S. Central Command, the airstrikes targeted weapons storage facilities and other ISIS infrastructure, resulting in the deaths or capture of at least 50 militants. The strikes were in retaliation for the December 13 ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter. Meanwhile, the Syrian government has taken control of a base in eastern Syria that was previously run by U.S. troops as part of the fight against ISIS.

• The airstrikes were conducted between February 3 and Thursday.
• The December 13 ambush that killed 2 U.S. soldiers and 1 civilian interpreter prompted the retaliatory airstrikes.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The U.S. military is expected to continue monitoring and targeting ISIS activity in Syria, while the transfer of detainees to Iraq raises questions about the long-term management of captured militants.