Summary
The United States military reported that it killed or captured approximately 25 ISIL fighters during operations in Syria over nine days. These missions took place after ISIL-related violence resulted in the deaths of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The US military continues to work with local forces in Syria to combat ISIL threats and is decreasing the number of US troops in the country.
Key Facts
- The US military says it killed or captured 25 ISIL members in Syria during a nine-day period.
- US Central Command (CENTCOM) is responsible for American military operations in the Middle East.
- The operation followed the killing of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter by an ISIL gunman on December 13.
- CENTCOM conducted 11 missions in Syria, leading to the destruction of four ISIL weapons caches.
- The US military worked with the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group, in these operations.
- The current US military presence in Syria is around 1,000 troops, and reductions in troop levels and bases are planned.
- ISIL controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq from 2014 to 2019 but still poses a regional threat.
- Syria recently joined the US-led coalition against ISIL, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa meeting President Trump at the White House.
