US Military Conducts Major Airstrikes on Islamic State Targets in Syria
The United States military has launched a significant series of airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria, hitting more than 30 locations in a coordinated effort to degrade the militant group's infrastructure and capabilities. These strikes, conducted between February 3 and 12, mark a continued US campaign against IS in the region.
Operation Hawkeye Strike Targets IS Strongholds
According to US Central Command (Centcom), the attacks targeted IS infrastructure and weapons storage facilities as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike. This operation has resulted in the elimination or capture of numerous IS fighters and the destruction of over 100 IS targets since its inception. The campaign was initiated following a deadly ambush by an IS-affiliated member of Syria's general security forces in Palmyra, which killed two US soldiers and an interpreter, and wounded three Syrian government personnel.
US Central Command released imagery confirming the airstrikes, underscoring the ongoing military efforts against the extremist group.
Damascus Praised for Anti-IS Coalition Role
In a notable development, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commended Damascus for its participation in the international coalition to defeat IS. Rubio welcomed the Syrian government's commitment to full cooperation with the US and the global coalition, highlighting a shift in Washington's approach towards Damascus as a principal ally in the fight against IS. This praise comes after Syria officially joined the coalition in November, following years of US partnership with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Analysts caution that IS has been attempting to reconstitute itself since the fall of Assad in December 2024, exploiting security vacuums and abandoned weapons in the country.
US Transfers Detainees and Draws Down Troops
Concurrently, the US has been evacuating male detainees accused of being IS fighters from north-east Syria, announcing the successful transfer of 5,700 individuals to Iraq for trial. This move aligns with the US military's reduction of its troop presence in Syria, including the evacuation of its base in al-Tanf after nearly a decade of operation.
Damascus Gains Control of Key IS Facilities
Damascus has recently taken control of significant IS prisons and camps as part of its offensive against the SDF, which resulted in the SDF losing 80% of its territory. Among the facilities now under Syrian government control is al-Hawl camp, which previously housed approximately 25,000 family members of suspected IS fighters.
Humanitarian reports indicate that the foreigners' annexe of al-Hawl camp, holding about 6,000 women and children from 42 countries, has been largely emptied over the past month. The whereabouts of these individuals and the parties responsible for their removal remain unclear, raising concerns about their safety and legal status.
