U.S. Strikes Against ISIS Result in Casualties

U.S. military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria over the past week have resulted in the death of a non-U.S. coalition soldier and injuries to two others. The operations, conducted by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Iraqi forces, included airstrikes using F-16s, F-15s, and A-10s in the Hamrin mountains of Iraq, successfully targeting ISIS fighters. Concurrently, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces conducted a strike in Syria that led to the capture of an ISIS attack cell leader. CENTCOM emphasized the importance of these partnered operations to maintain pressure on ISIS amid the changing security dynamics in the region following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. Currently, approximately 2,000 U.S. troops remain in Syria to prevent a resurgence of ISIS. The situation remains precarious, with concerns about ISIS looking to regroup in the aftermath of Assad's regime collapse.