US CENTCOM strikes dozens of ISIS targets across Syria as Assad regime falls in Damascus

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday night announced that it struck “over 75 targets” belonging to the ISIS terror group in Syria, while Syrian opposition groups were actively fighting the remaining forces loyal to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

In a post on 𝕏, CENTCOM stated: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted dozens of precision airstrikes targeting known ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria, Dec. 8.” 

The strikes were designed to prevent the terror group ISIS from taking advantage of the political upheaval to retake territory, the U.S. military continued. 

“The strikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS, in order to prevent the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria.” 

The rebel alliance moved on Damascus in a rapid series of conquests, starting from the region of Idlib, where they exercised political and military authority, moving south through Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, until the forces entered the capital city Damascus early Sunday morning. 

The lack of significant opposition from Assad’s forces during this latest rebel offensive was surprising when compared to previous attempts to expand rebel control. In the past, such efforts were met with a mix of Syrian army and Russian air force strikes to disrupt their advances. However, in this most recent campaign, the rebels encountered virtually no opposition, allowing them to advance on Damascus in a matter of days, bringing an end to the over 50-year Assad family rule. 

The rapid collapse of Assad's positions sparked concern among U.S. military leaders that ISIS might attempt to take advantage of the situation and retake territory it had lost over the years. 

According to CENTCOM, the operation struck over 75 targets using multiple U.S. Air Force aircraft, including B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 attack jets. 

“There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” said CENTCOM commander General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, “All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.” 

American forces in Syria have consistently moved to prevent ISIS from making gains, particularly in the southeast region of the country, where U.S. soldiers have been operating since the decision by then-President Barack Obama to directly involve its troops.

At the same time, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR) reported apparent Israeli Air Force strikes against several sites belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in southern Syria. 

SOHR reported airstrikes on IRGC sites in the desert south of Al-Bokamal, on weapons depots in the Deir Ezzor countryside, and various locations near Quneitra. 

The Israeli Air Force also struck several sites where critical regime weapons were being held in order to prevent their use by any jihadi groups intending to act against the Jewish state.