(LibertySociety.com) – The United States launched a series of precision airstrikes on ISIS targets in central Syria Sunday, aiming to prevent the terrorist group from exploiting the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime. The strikes, carried out by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), targeted over 75 sites associated with ISIS operatives, leaders, and training camps.
Assad, whose family ruled Syria for more than five decades, fled to Russia where he was granted asylum after a coalition of largely Islamist rebel groups seized the capital in a sweeping offensive. Assad’s ousting marks a major shift in the region’s power dynamics, creating new opportunities and risks for global security.
CENTCOM announced the strikes as part of an ongoing mission to “disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS,” with the stated goal of ensuring the group cannot reorganize during this volatile period. U.S. assets, including B-52 bombers, F-15s, and A-10 aircraft, conducted the strikes, which, according to CENTCOM, resulted in no civilian casualties.
“There should be no doubt—we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander. He warned that any group collaborating with or supporting ISIS would face accountability.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also addressed the situation, expressing cautious optimism about Syria’s future. He called for a peaceful transition to a more inclusive and accountable government, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to supporting the Syrian people during this transitional phase. Blinken underscored the Assad regime’s reliance on Russia and Iran, which he said led to its downfall, and reiterated the importance of protecting civilians and upholding international humanitarian law.
Despite the Assad regime’s collapse, uncertainty looms. Blinken noted that the U.S. will closely monitor rebel leaders’ actions, urging them to uphold human rights and avoid reprisals. Meanwhile, international efforts are underway to hold Assad and his backers accountable for alleged war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians.
The fall of Assad, combined with continued instability in Syria, signals both a new chapter for the region and a complex challenge for global powers navigating its uncertain future.
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