U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces eliminated a top ISIS leader in an airstrike.
CENTCOM announced it killed ISIS leader Abu Yusif in Syria on Thursday.
“On Dec. 19, U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a precision airstrike targeting ISIS leader Abu Yusif aka Mahmud in the Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria resulting in two ISIS operatives killed, including Abu Yusif,” CENTCOM wrote on Friday.
“This airstrike is part of CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.”
The X post noted that the strike was “conducted in an area formerly controlled by the Syrian regime and Russians.”
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, said in a statement, “As stated before, the United States — working with allies and partners in the region — will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria and reconstitute. ISIS has the intent to break out of detention the over 8,000 ISIS operatives currently being held in facilities in Syria. We will aggressively target these leaders and operatives, including those trying to conduct operations external to Syria.”
There are an estimated 2,000 U.S. troops stationed in Syria. The number is 1,100 more than had been previously reported.
“As you know, we have been briefing you regularly that there are approximately 900 US troops deployed to Syria. In light of the situation in Syria and the significant interest, we recently learned that those numbers were higher, and so asked to look into it. I learned today that in fact there are approximately 2,000 US troops in Syria,” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said during a press briefing.
