US Central Command Reveals Strikes Killed 37 Terrorist Operatives

In recent strikes, U.S. officials confirmed the elimination of 37 terrorist operatives in Syria.

At a Glance

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted two targeted strikes in Syria.
37 terrorist operatives, including senior leaders, were killed.
The strikes aim to disrupt terrorist activities against civilians and military personnel.
No civilian casualties were reported in either strike.

Details of the Strikes

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) executed two precision airstrikes in Syria, resulting in the death of 37 terrorist operatives. The first strike on September 16 targeted an ISIS training camp in central Syria, killing 28 operatives, including four senior leaders. A second strike on September 24 in northwest Syria eliminated nine operatives, among them Marwan Bassam ‘Abd-al-Ra’uf, a senior leader of Hurras al-Din, an Al Qaeda-affiliated organization.

These operations are part of CENTCOM’s ongoing efforts to curb terrorist activities against civilians and military personnel in the region. This mission aligns with CENTCOM’s broader objective of defeating terrorist organizations and preserving regional stability. The efforts also aim to counter the aspirations of Hurras al-Din to conduct global attacks.

U.S. Central Command Conducts Targeted Strikes Against Terrorist Groups in Syria pic.twitter.com/u62UyJvkZT

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 29, 2024

Impact and Strategic Importance

The strikes specifically targeted factions of ISIS and Hurras al-Din, a group linked to Al Qaeda. The elimination of key leaders such as Marwan Bassam ‘Abd-al-Ra’uf and Abu-‘Abd al-Rahman al Makki, who was killed in a prior strike, aims to disrupt these organizations’ operational capabilities.

“These strikes against leadership and operatives of ISIS and the Al Qaeda affiliate, Hurras al-Din, represent CENTCOM’s commitment to the enduring defeat of terrorist organizations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility and our support to regional stability,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla.

No civilian casualties resulted from either strike, emphasizing the precision and careful planning involved in these operations. These missions complement the ongoing efforts of the approximately 900 U.S. troops stationed in Syria, whose roles include advising and assisting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in combating ISIS resurgence.

A Continued Commitment

The U.S. forces’ continuous efforts in Syria have worked to maintain pressure on terrorist organizations and prevent their resurgence. CENTCOM’s strategic strikes against high-value targets help protect U.S. interests and maintain stability in the region. The broader coalition against ISIS, established in 2014, continues its mission to eliminate the threat posed by these extremist groups.