By Daily Caller (World News) | Created at 2024-09-30 00:01:45 | Updated at 2024-09-30 05:20:14
6 hours ago
September 29, 2024 6:28 PM ET
The U.S. military targeted and eliminated more than three dozen terrorists in Syria in two mid-September strikes, U.S. Central Command announced Sunday.
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Forces conducted two targeted strikes in Syria, killing 37 terrorist operatives, including multiple senior leaders of the terrorist organizations of ISIS and Hurras al-Din, an Al Qaeda affiliate,” CENTCOM’s statement began.
The U.S. military carried out the first airstrike early Sept. 16 against a remote ISIS training camp in central Syria, according to the statement. No fewer than 28 Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) operatives — including at least four senior leaders — were reportedly killed.
The second airstrike occurred Sept. 24 in northwest Syria. Among the nine terrorist operatives killed was Marwan Bassam ‘Abd-al-Ra’uf, a senior Hurras al-Din leader responsible for overseeing military operations from Syria, CENTCOM said.
“Hurras al-Din is an Al Qaeda-affiliated organization based in Syria with global aspirations to conduct attacks against U.S. and Western interests,” the statement continues.
CENTCOM forces eliminated another senior Hurras al-Din member, Abu-’Abd al-Rahman al-Makki, in a similar Aug. 23 strike, according to a separate statement. (RELATED: US, Partners Capture Accused ‘ISIS Facilitator’ Of Escaped Terrorists)
U.S. Central Command Conducts Targeted Strikes Against Terrorist Groups in Syria pic.twitter.com/u62UyJvkZT
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 29, 2024
The airstrikes symbolized the resolve of CENTCOM to “disrupt and degrade” the efforts of terrorists throughout and beyond Syria and the Middle East.
“These strikes against leadership and operatives of ISIS and the Al Qaeda affiliate, Hurras al-Din, represent CENTCOM’s commitment to the enduring defeat of terrorist organizations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility and our support to regional stability,” CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla stated.
“There is no indication any civilians were harmed in either strike,” the statement noted.
On April 3, 2023, U.S. forces eliminated Khalid ‘Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri, a senior ISIS leader who helped develop the terrorist group’s leadership structure and plotted ISIS attacks on Europe.
ISIS is estimated to have 5,000 to 7,000 members or supporters but has spawned various affiliates across the Middle East, Central Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
The U.S. maintains some 900 servicemembers in Syria to prevent the resurgence of ISIS, which took control of vast areas as they rampaged across Iraq and Syria in 2014, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
Some military contractors are reportedly also operating in Syria.
The U.S. forces aid and advise the U.S.-allied, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces based in areas not far from strategic locations of Iran-linked militant groups, the outlet added.
