Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has carried out dozens of airstrikes against known ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria on Sunday to prevent the terrorist organization from taking advantage of the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
After Assad’s family ruled Syria for more than 50 years, Assad was forced to flee Syria to Russia, where he was granted asylum, when a coalition of mostly radical Islamist groups launched a broad offensive across Syria and captured the country’s capital.
CENTCOM announced on Sunday that it had carried out the strikes against ISIS leadersoperatives and camps as part of the ongoing mission to “disrupt, degrade and defeat ISIS.”
Specifically, CENTCOM is working to prevent the terrorist group from conducting operations to ensure that ISIS does not want to take advantage of the current situation to rebuild in central Syria.
US CENTCOM has carried out strikes in Syria against ISIS targets and operatives amid the fall of the Assad regime. (Photo by Chris Graithen/Getty Images)
During the operation, CENTCOM forces struck over 75 targets using US Air Force assets like the B-52, F-15 and A-10.
Damage assessment is currently underway, CENTCOM said, and there are no indications that any civilians have been killed in the operations.
Asad ARRIVES IN MOSCOW, RUSSIA GIVES HIM ASYLUM
A masked Islamic State soldier poses with an ISIS flag. (Images from History/Universal Images via Getty Images)
CENTCOM also said it, along with regional allies and partners, will continue to conduct operations to disrupt ISIS’ operational capabilities during this “dynamic period in Syria.”
“There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to rebuild and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” said General Michael Eric Curilla. “All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner or support ISIS in any way.”
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a statement Sunday that the people of Syria “finally have reason to hope,” adding that the U.S. “strongly supports a peaceful transition of power to a responsible Syrian government” through a Syrian-led and inclusive process.
In this Nov. 9, 2019 photo released by Syria’s official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad speaks in Damascus, Syria. (SANA via AP)
“The Assad regime’s refusal since 2011 to engage in a credible political process and its reliance on brutal support from Russia and Iran inevitably led to its own collapse,” Blinken said. “During this transitional period, the Syrian people have every right to demand the preservation of state institutions, the restoration of key services and the protection of vulnerable communities.”
The secretary also said the US would closely monitor developments in the region and support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its supporters accountable for “atrocities and abuses” against the Syrian people.
Blinken noted that the crimes involved the use of chemical weapons.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“We have taken note of the statements made by rebel leaders in recent days, but as they assume more responsibility, we will evaluate not only their words, but also their actions,” Blinken said. “We once again call on all actors to respect human rights, take all precautionary measures to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law.”
Michael Lee of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
