US Airstrikes Kill Up to 35 ISIS Operatives in Syria

The US military announced on Wednesday that airstrikes conducted on Monday evening resulted in the deaths of up to 35 ISIS operatives at multiple camps in Syria. The operation, executed by US Central Command (CENTCOM), targeted known ISIS locations in the Syrian desert, specifically aimed at eliminating senior leaders within the terrorist organization.

According to the statement released on social media platform X, “US Central Command forces conducted a series of strikes against several known ISIS camps in Syria, in the early evening of Oct. 28, resulting in up to 35 ISIS operatives killed.” The report did not confirm whether any of the targeted senior leaders were among the casualties, but CENTCOM indicated that there were “no indications” of civilian casualties from the strikes.

These strikes are part of a broader uptick in military operations against ISIS in the Middle East, which has recently resulted in the deaths of dozens of operatives. When asked about the increased military activity and its implications for ISIS’s presence in the region, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh clarified that while ISIS has expanded its footprint globally, this does not indicate a resurgence of the group; rather, it underscores their ongoing threat.

This operation follows a series of coordinated actions against ISIS, including a recent joint effort by US and Iraqi forces in Anbar province, Iraq, which targeted ISIS operatives. Just days before the airstrikes in Syria, at least seven ISIS operatives were killed in central Iraq during separate raids, with two US service members sustaining injuries. The wounded personnel have since been transported to Walter Reed Medical Center for treatment, while a third service member is being evaluated for a potential traumatic brain injury.

In early October, Iraqi Security Forces successfully eliminated four ISIS members, including a senior leader. In a joint operation in August, US and Iraqi forces killed 14 militants, comprising four senior ISIS leaders.

These military actions come as Iraq has delayed the announcement of the end of the US-led military coalition’s presence in the country due to “recent developments” in the region. Currently, approximately 2,500 US troops remain in Iraq, primarily tasked with advising and assisting local forces in combating the persistent threat posed by ISIS.

The situation remains fluid as US and allied forces continue their operations against ISIS in a bid to stabilize the region and mitigate the influence of the terrorist group.