A member of the U.S.-partnered forces was killed, and two others were injured, during a series of operations targeting ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
The operations, carried out by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and allied forces, aimed to dismantle ISIS’s capacity to conduct attacks and maintain influence in the region.
Between December 30 and January 6, CENTCOM and Iraqi forces executed multiple strikes in Iraq’s Hamrin Mountains, targeting identified ISIS locations.
These missions were designed to disrupt and degrade ISIS’s ability to plan, organize, and execute attacks against civilians, U.S. citizens, allies, and regional partners.
“From December 30 to January 6, CENTCOM and Iraqi forces conducted multiple strikes in the Hamrin Mountains of Iraq, targeting known ISIS locations,” CENTCOM said in a statement. “The operations served to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians in the region, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond.”
CENTCOM and Partner Forces Conduct Operations in Iraq and Syria to Defeat ISIS
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces conducted operations in Iraq and Syria, December 30, 2024, to January 6, 2025, in support of the ongoing Defeat ISIS (D-ISIS) campaign.
From December… pic.twitter.com/5d4kd0QPpU
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 6, 2025
During the operations, ISIS fighters engaged Coalition forces several times, prompting the use of Coalition airstrikes. Air support included F-16s, F-15s, and A-10s. Notably, A-10 aircraft were deployed to assist ground forces in eliminating ISIS fighters entrenched within a cave.
CENTCOM confirmed that one Coalition member was killed and two others, hailing from two different nations, were wounded during the engagements. There were no injuries among U.S. personnel, nor was there any damage to U.S. equipment.
General Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of CENTCOM, underscored the importance of such operations in maintaining pressure on ISIS. “Partnered operations like these are critical to maintaining pressure on ISIS and preventing the terrorist group from taking advantage of the rapidly changing security environment in the region,” he said. “The enduring defeat of ISIS is a global effort that relies on our Coalition, allies, and partners. U.S. Central Command remains committed to aggressively pursuing these terrorists that threaten the region, our allies, and our citizens.”
The broader regional context adds urgency to these operations. The Assad regime in Syria recently fell to rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group previously affiliated with Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
The fall of the Assad regime creates a volatile power vacuum, which the U.S. military and its partners are keen to prevent ISIS from exploiting.
As regional dynamics shift, the U.S. remains committed to countering the resurgence of ISIS. These operations demonstrate the ongoing need for vigilance and coordination among global partners to ensure that the terrorist group cannot reclaim territory or influence.
