The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced a joint military operation with the Syrian Ministry of Interior targeting ISIS (Islamic State) assets in southern Syria and the Damascus countryside.
According to a CENTCOM statement released Sunday, US forces collaborated with Syrian Interior Ministry units between November 24th and 27th to destroy over 15 ISIS storage facilities and weapons depots. The destruction was carried out through a combination of airstrikes and on-the-ground demolition operations.
The targeted warehouses contained a significant cache of weapons, including mortar ammunition, rockets, various caliber machine guns, anti-tank mines, and materials used in the production of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper emphasized the purpose of these joint operations: “These joint operations aim to prevent ISIS from regaining its strength.” He further stated, “This successful operation has further weakened the organization’s offensive capabilities, and we will not allow ISIS to reach a level that poses a threat to the United States and its allies.”
This operation follows an announcement made by the US Embassy in Damascus on November 11th, confirming Syria’s official inclusion in the international coalition against ISIS, which has been led by Washington since 2014. The embassy stated that “Syria has become the 90th partner in the coalition,” describing the move as “a pivotal moment in Syrian history and in the global war against terrorism.”
The international coalition against ISIS, which has involved dozens of countries since its inception, has carried out a wide range of military operations against the organization in Syria and Iraq over the past years. Prior to the recent announcement, the Syrian government had not been a formal participant in the coalition.
