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The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had carried out an airstrike that killed ISIS leader Abu Yousif in eastern Syria.
Another ISIS operative was also killed in Thursday’s attack, the agency said in a statement Friday morning.
“As we have previously stated, the United States is working with our allies and partners in the region and will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria and regroup,” said CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Eric Kurilla. “ISIS intends to free more than 8,000 ISIS operatives currently held in Syrian facilities.”
“We will aggressively target these leaders and operatives, including those seeking to conduct operations outside Syria.”
US group searches for abducted Americans in Syria after Assad regime collapses
Rebel forces captured Meng Air Base and the city of Tell Rifaat in the Aleppo countryside on December 1, 2024, following clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian regime forces. (Rami Al-Sayed/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The agency said it carried out airstrikes targeting eastern Syria’s Deir Ezzor province, calling it part of ongoing efforts to “disrupt and degrade the activities” of terrorists.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations insists the country is ‘not involved’ in Syria’s regime change
They said the area was controlled by the Syrian regime and Russian forces until the recent overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Mr. al-Assad defected to Russia earlier this month, ending a nearly 14-year struggle to maintain power in his country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Republican) and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visit Hmeimim Air Base in Syria’s Latakia Governorate on December 11, 2017. (Russia Flight/Sputnik/Mikhail Klimenchev/via Reuters/File Photo)
Since the Syrian president defected to Russia on December 8, attacks by Turkish forces against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have increased.
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Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Rider said 2,000 US troops are deployed in Syria in light of regional instability and President Al Assad’s withdrawal.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and X. @s_rumpfwhitten.
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