 "The US deployed as many as 2,000 soldiers to Syria during the fight against ISIL. (Reuters)")
The US military has reported a fresh wave of operations against ISIL in Syria, saying about 25 fighters were killed or captured during a nine-day campaign carried out this month. The actions were described as part of ongoing efforts to counter the group’s remaining presence in the country.
US Central Command (Centcom), which oversees US forces in West Asia , said on Tuesday that the operations had concluded after a series of coordinated missions across Syria. The campaign followed the killing of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter by an ISIL gunman on December 13 and was preceded by widescale US strikes against the group six days later.
“US Central Command (Centcom) and partners across Syria killed at least seven ISIS members and captured the remainder during 11 missions conducted Dec. 20-29,” the statement said. “The operations also led to the elimination of four ISIS weapons caches.” CENTCOM did not disclose the identities of those targeted.
US troop presence and lingering threat
The US deployed as many as 2,000 soldiers to Syria during the fight against ISIL, which began in 2014. The current deployment stands at about 1,000 troops, with the administration of US President Donald Trump announcing this year that it would further reduce the number of US bases and soldiers in the country.
ISIL once controlled large swathes of Syria and Iraq between 2014 and 2019. Although the group has since lost its territory, US officials say ISIL remnants continue to pose a threat to the region.