US, partner forces kill 7, capture 18 ISIS terrorists in Syria: CENTCOM

ISTANBUL

US and partner forces killed at least seven and captured 18 "operatives" of the ISIS (Daesh) terror group over 10 days of operations in Syria, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Tuesday.

"U.S. and partner forces killed or captured nearly 25 ISIS operatives during the days that followed a Dec. 19 large-scale strike in Syria," CENTCOM said on US social media company X.

The 11 missions conducted between Dec. 20-29 followed the launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike on Dec. 19, when US and Jordanian forces struck more than 70 targets with more than 100 precision munitions, CENTCOM said, adding the operations eliminated four ISIS weapons caches.

CENTCOM said 11 missions were conducted over the course of Dec. 20-29, following the launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike on Dec. 19, when US and Jordanian forces struck more than 70 targets with more than 100 precision munitions.

The operations eliminated four ISIS weapons caches, it added.

"Continuing to hunt down terrorist operatives, eliminate ISIS networks, and work with partners to prevent an ISIS resurgence makes America, the region, and the world safer," CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said.

The US launched Operation Hawkeye Strike against ISIS targets in retaliation for a deadly Dec. 13 attack on American forces patrolling in central Syria. That attack killed two US soldiers and a civilian.

Syria has said it will continue to step up military operations against ISIS in areas where the group poses a threat, reaffirming its commitment to preventing the use of its territory as a safe haven for terrorists.