CENTCOM says 37 anti-ISIS operations launched in Syria, Iraq in June
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – US Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed on Thursday it conducted 37 operations against the Islamic State group (ISIS) in Syria and Iraq in June.
The CENTCOM said in a press release that the operations resulted in the arrest of 21 ISIS militants and the killing of 13 others.
“The continued reduction in ISIS activities in Iraq and Syria are a testament to our partner forces’ commitment to the safety and stability of the region,” said Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, CJTF-OIR Commanding General.
In Syria, the CENTCOM with the participation of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carried out seven operations, in which 14 ISIS militants were arrested and one was killed.
In Iraq, the CENTCOM carried out 30 partnered operations in Iraq, resulting in the arrest of seven ISIS militants and killing 12 others.
“The Coalition continues to advise, assist, and enable our partners in the lead toward an enduring defeat of ISIS.”
These operations showcase our enduring commitment to the lasting defeat of ISIS to preserve regional security and stability.
In May, the CENTCOM announced it launched 38 operations in both countries, killing eight ISIS militants and arresting 31 others.
ISIS lost its final stronghold in Syria in March 2019. The SDF, with the support of the US-led Global Coalition, defeated ISIS after fierce battles in the town of Baghouz in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, bringing an end to the so-called caliphate declared by the terrorist ISIS.
After Baghouz, thousands of ISIS militants were transferred to prisons, while their families were transferred to Hawl and Roj camps in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES)-held areas.
“We commend the competence, professionalism, and dedication of our Iraqi, Syrian, and coalition partner forces,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, CENTCOM commander. “Our continued efforts to defeat ISIS can only be accomplished through sustained and comprehensive partnered operations.”
The CENTCOM is one of the eleven unified combatant commands of the US Department of Defense. It was founded in 1983, taking over the previous responsibilities of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF). In northeast Syria, the CENTCOM aims at continuing to develop and enable the SDF to defeat ISIS and requesting the nations repatriate their citizens of ISIS families from Hawl and Roj camps, northeast Syria.