CENTCOM says US conducted nearly 80 missions in Syria since July amid scrutiny over recent attack

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Wednesday that U.S. forces and its partners have conducted nearly 80 operations in Syria since July, with the goal of eliminating terrorist operatives who pose a risk to the United States. 

The announcement comes after two Iowa National Guard members and a civilian translator were killed in an attack in Syria over the weekend as part of ongoing anti-ISIS operations in the country.

CENTCOM said ISIS has inspired at least 11 plots or attacks against U.S. targets over the past year, which has prompted the U.S. to respond with its own operations that have netted the arrests of 119 terrorists and 14 killed over the last six months. 

“We are steadfast in our relentless pursuit of terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our interests abroad,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said. “Operations in Syria are critical for preventing ISIS from regenerating and posing a significant threat. We will root out and eliminate terrorist jihadists wherever they hide.” 

CENTCOM forces conducted a raid in Syria in September that resulted in the death of senior ISIS operative Omar Abdul Qader, and American troops last month partnered with the Syrian Ministry of Interior in locating and destroying more than 15 ISIS weapon cache sites in southern Syria. 

November's mission resulted in the destruction of over 130 mortars and rockets, multiple rifles, machine guns, anti-tank mines, and materials for building improvised explosive devices, CENTCOM said.

“We have now had multiple instances of collaboration with the Syrian government to counter specific ISIS threats,” Cooper said. “These are the types of tangible security gains we can make on the ground through close cooperation with Syrian government forces. Deploying our forces to take out these individuals makes America and the region safer."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.