US says nearly 25 ISIS operatives killed or captured in Syria after December retaliatory strikes

US Central Command says raids and airstrikes between December 20–29 targeted ISIS cells and infrastructure after the killing of two American service members.

• US strikes kill or capture 25 ISIS fighters in Syria since mid-December.
• US strikes followed attack that killed 2 US soldiers and a civilian interpreter
• Jordan joined US in December 19 strikes targeting ISIS in southern Syria

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The US military said Tuesday that nearly two dozen ISIS operatives have been killed or captured in Syria since mid-December, following American airstrikes launched in response to the killing of two US service members.

In a statement, US Central Command said “nearly 25” ISIS fighters were neutralised between December 20 and 29 during 11 missions conducted by US and partner forces. Seven ISIS members were killed, while the rest were captured. Four ISIS weapons caches were also destroyed.

Retaliation after deadly attack

The latest operations followed large-scale US strikes on December 19 that hit around 70 ISIS targets across Syria. The strikes were carried out after two US service members and a civilian interpreter were killed on December 13 in Palmyra, Syria, an attack the US has said was conducted by ISIS.

The Army earlier said the deaths occurred due to injuries sustained “while engaged with hostile forces,” according to CNN. The Defense Department later said the attack was carried out by a lone ISIS gunman.

US vows sustained pressure

“We will not relent,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM. “We are steadfast in commitment to working with regional partners to root out the ISIS threat posed to US and regional security.”

The two soldiers killed were identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, both members of the Iowa National Guard deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. Three other Guard members were injured.

Regional partners step in

Other countries joined the US in the December 19 strikes, including Jordan, which said it acted to prevent extremist groups from threatening regional security after ISIS reconstituted itself in southern Syria.

Hundreds of US troops remain deployed in Syria as part of the long-running campaign against ISIS.