On Monday, U.S. Central Command confirmed that one non-U.S. soldier was killed and two others sustained injuries during a recent coalition operation targeting ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
In a statement released on X, formerly known as Twitter, Central Command noted, “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and allied forces conducted operations in Iraq and Syria from December 30, 2024, to January 6, 2025, as part of the ongoing Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS) campaign.”
U.S. officials reported that Central Command and Iraqi forces carried out several strikes against identified ISIS positions in the Hamrin mountains of Iraq between December 30 and January 6. The purpose of these strikes was to “disrupt and degrade ISIS’s capability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians in the area, as well as against U.S. citizens, allies, and partners globally.”
The coalition employed A-10s, F-16s, and F-15s for airstrikes against ISIS militants who “engaged Coalition forces on multiple occasions.” As per Central Command, A-10s effectively targeted ISIS fighters sheltered in a cave while assisting the coalition’s ground units in the region.
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The press release further indicated that U.S. Central Command facilitated a “D-ISIS operation” by the Syrian Democratic Forces from January 2 to January 3 near Dayr az-Zawr, Syria, which resulted in the capture of an ISIS attack cell leader.
In the press release, Central Command reiterated that the United States and its partners in the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve remain steadfast in their commitment to combatting ISIS in the Middle East.
Commenting on the recent strikes by the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, remarked, “Partnered operations like these are essential for maintaining pressure on ISIS and preventing the terrorist organization from exploiting the dynamic security landscape in the region.”
“The lasting defeat of ISIS is a collective global endeavor that depends on our Coalition, allies, and partners,” Kurilla added. “U.S. Central Command will continue to vigorously pursue these terrorists that pose a threat to the region, our allies, and our citizens.”
