FOLLOW US

The U.S. military has stepped up operations against ISIS in Syria, launching a series of airstrikes that hit more than 30 targets tied to the militant group. Defense officials said the strikes were carried out between Feb. 3 and Feb. 12 and focused on weapons depots, supply points, and facilities believed to support ISIS fighters.

Military leaders said the operations are part of a broader effort known as Operation Hawkeye Strike. The campaign was initiated after a deadly ambush near Palmyra in December that killed two American service members and a military interpreter. Officials described the recent strikes as a direct response designed to weaken ISIS networks and disrupt planning for future attacks.

Coordinated Military Response

The latest round of strikes follows earlier retaliatory action in December, when U.S. aircraft targeted more than 70 ISIS-related locations across Syria. Those operations aimed to dismantle infrastructure used for training, coordination, and weapons storage.

In January, U.S. forces also announced the killing of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, identified by officials as an Al-Qaeda-affiliated operative with alleged connections to the gunman involved in the December ambush. Military commanders stated that targeting individuals linked to attacks on coalition personnel remains a priority.

According to defense updates, the broader operation has resulted in more than 50 suspected ISIS fighters killed or captured. Over 100 infrastructure sites have been damaged or destroyed since the campaign began. Officials say the sustained pressure is meant to prevent ISIS from rebuilding its operational capabilities.

Transfer of ISIS Detainees to Iraq

In a separate development, U.S. forces recently completed the transfer of more than 5,700 adult male ISIS detainees from detention centers in Syria to Iraqi custody. The transfer process began on Jan. 21 at the request of Iraq’s government and was coordinated with coalition partners.

Iraqi authorities are expected to pursue legal proceedings against the detainees. However, officials have not released detailed information regarding individual charges or confirmed the status of each detainee’s membership in ISIS.

The movement of detainees has been described as part of ongoing cooperation between U.S. and Iraqi forces to address long-term security concerns in the region. Iraq has faced repeated attacks from ISIS remnants in recent years and continues efforts to prosecute suspected members under its domestic counterterrorism laws.