The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted dozens of airstrikes on known ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria on Sunday to prevent the terrorist organization from taking advantage of the demise of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s regime.
After Assad’s family ruled over Syria for more than 50 years, Assad was forced to flee Syria to Russia, where he was granted asylum, when a coalition of largely radical Islamist groups led a sweeping offensive across Syria and captured the country’s capital city.
CENTCOM announced on Sunday that it has conducted strikes against ISIS leaders, operatives and camps as part of an ongoing mission to “disrupt, degrade and defeat ISIS.”
Specifically, CENTCOM is working to prevent the terrorist group from conducting operations to ensure ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria.
During the operation, CENTCOM forces struck over 75 targets using U.S. Air Force assets like B-52s, F-15s and A-10s.
Damage assessments are currently underway, CENTCOM said, and there are no indications any civilians were killed in the operations.
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CENTCOM also said it, along with regional allies and partners, will continue to carry out operations to hinder ISIS’s operational capabilities during this “dynamic period in Syria.”
“There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” General Michael Erik Kurilla said. “All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Sunday that the people of Syria “finally have reason for hope,” adding the U.S. “strongly supports a peaceful transition of power to an accountable Syrian government” through a Syrian-led process that is inclusive.
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“The Assad regime’s refusal since 2011 to engage in a credible political process and its reliance on the brutal support of Russia and Iran led inevitably to its own collapse,” Blinken said. “During this transitional period, the Syrian people have every right to demand the preservation of state institutions, the resumption of key services, and the protection of vulnerable communities.”
The secretary also said the U.S. would be closely monitoring developments as they unfold in the region and will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for “atrocities and abuses” against the people of Syria.
Blinken noted the atrocities included the use of chemical weapons.
“We have taken note of statements made by rebel leaders in recent days, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions,” Blinken said. “We again call on all actors to respect human rights, take all precautions to protect civilians, and to uphold international humanitarian law.”
Fox News Digital’s Michael Lee contributed to this report.
