US military warplanes carried out a series of intense airstrikes in central Syria on December 8, just a day after the crumbling of the Assad regime, signaling a renewed commitment to combatting the Islamic State (ISIS) and ensuring the militant group does not seize the opportunity to regain power in the region.
US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers, F-15E Strike Eagles, and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft launched dozens of strikes targeting ISIS leaders, fighters, and training camps.
The mission, conducted by US Central Command (CENTCOM), saw approximately 140 munitions dropped on more than 75 ISIS positions across central Syria.
A senior administration official confirmed the scale of the operation, describing it as “significant,” while CENTCOM officials stressed that the strikes were part of ongoing efforts to prevent ISIS from re-establishing itself in the region.
Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of CENTCOM, warned, “There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria.”
The airstrikes came in the wake of a dramatic and unexpected political shift in Syria, as the government of President Bashar al-Assad— who had ruled the country for more than two decades after succeeding his father— collapsed following a surprise offensive from rebel forces.
This sudden collapse marks the end of Syria’s decade-long civil war, which has seen millions displaced and left the country in ruin.
The downfall of the Assad regime follows a period of waning support from crucial allies such as Hezbollah, Russia, and Iran, whose resources have been stretched thin by other geopolitical conflicts.
For the US and its allies, the fall of the Assad regime is both a historic opportunity and a major challenge. Outgoing President Joe Biden described the regime’s collapse as a “historic opportunity” for the Syrian people to break free from decades of authoritarian rule.
However, Biden also acknowledged the hurdles ahead, particularly with the increasing influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda but now positioning itself as a nationalist force aiming to replace Assad and rebuild Syria.
While HTS is considered a terrorist organization by the US, its leaders have distanced themselves from al-Qaeda. Despite the scale of the operation, CENTCOM has yet to report any civilian casualties from the airstrikes, and officials are still evaluating the full impact of the mission.
USA In Syria
In 2019, a coalition led by the United States, supported by local partners, dismantled the Islamic State’s so-called caliphate in Iraq and Syria as part of the ongoing Operation Inherent Resolve.
However, nearly five years later, the US still maintains a force of approximately 900 troops in eastern Syria. These forces continue to collaborate with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in their fight against the remnants of ISIS, which has been attempting to regain strength and territory despite its earlier defeat.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) reiterated its commitment to countering ISIS during this period of volatility in Syria.
“CENTCOM, together with allies and partners in the region, will continue to carry out operations to degrade ISIS operational capabilities even during this dynamic period in Syria,” the command stated in a recent announcement.
General Erik Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, issued a stark warning to all groups within Syria, urging them to steer clear of any collaboration with ISIS.
He noted the US stance by declaring, “All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.”
Meanwhile, the fall of Assad’s government has created additional complications for Washington, including the risk of escalating tensions between Turkish-backed militias and the SDF. Such conflicts could jeopardize the fight against ISIS and hinder stabilization efforts.
In a December 8 conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin underscored the importance of avoiding actions that could endanger US forces or undermine the mission to prevent an ISIS resurgence.
The situation also presents key challenges for the incoming Trump administration, which has frequently voiced a desire to withdraw US forces from high-risk Middle Eastern conflict zones.
Yet, the sudden collapse of Assad’s regime, coupled with the rise of a rebel group that Washington has previously designated as a terrorist organization, raises concerns about whether Syria could once again become a breeding ground for extremist threats to US security.
Meanwhile, Iran, another key ally of the former regime, has seen its proxies—Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza—crippled by recent Israeli military actions.
Tehran’s leadership is increasingly vulnerable, particularly as it faces internal challenges, including a looming succession crisis with the aging Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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