Major US-Led Operations in Syria Result in Capture of 25 ISIS Members

Significant Strikes Against ISIS in Syria

Washington: According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), US and allied forces have successfully killed or apprehended nearly 25 ISIS operatives in Syria following extensive military operations earlier this month.

The operations, which spanned 19 days starting December 20, included 11 missions across Syria. These efforts resulted in the deaths of at least seven ISIS members, while the others were captured. Additionally, four ISIS weapons caches were destroyed, as reported in a media release on Tuesday.

CENTCOM indicated that these actions were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, initiated on December 19, during which US and Jordanian forces targeted over 70 ISIS sites with more than 100 precision munitions.

The strike involved numerous fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery systems, focusing on ISIS infrastructure and weaponry throughout central Syria, according to the command.

"These recent missions followed the launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike," CENTCOM stated, emphasizing the operation's success in dismantling ISIS infrastructure and weapon sites in the area.

"We will not relent," asserted Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM's commander. "Our commitment to collaborating with regional partners to eliminate the ISIS threat to US and regional security remains unwavering."

CENTCOM noted that subsequent missions were strategically planned to leverage the impact of the December 19 strike by targeting ISIS operatives and resources shortly after the large-scale attack.

The command also highlighted that ISIS continues to pose a significant threat beyond the region.

In 2025, ISIS was linked to at least 11 plots or attacks targeting the United States, according to CENTCOM. In response, US and allied forces in Syria have engaged in ongoing operations over the past year aimed at dismantling the group's remaining networks.

CENTCOM reported that operations conducted in the last year have led to the detention of over 300 terrorists and the deaths of more than 20.

"Continuing to pursue terrorist operatives, dismantle ISIS networks, and collaborate with partners to prevent an ISIS resurgence enhances safety for America, the region, and the world," Cooper stated.

Based in Tampa, Florida, CENTCOM oversees US military operations throughout the Middle East and parts of South and Central Asia, including Syria. US forces have maintained a presence in Syria as part of the international effort against ISIS, which once held significant territories in Syria and Iraq but now operates through scattered cells after losing its territorial control.