US troops in Syria essential to prevent ISIS resurgence: Defense secretary
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the continued deployment of American forces in Syria is necessary to block the Islamic State (ISIS) from resurging and destabilizing the region. Speaking at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Austin stressed the role of approximately 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, particularly in overseeing detention camps that hold tens of thousands of ISIS fighters and their families.
Austin cautioned that without the U.S. presence, ISIS fighters could reenter society and pose a renewed threat.
Estimates indicate there are between 8,000 and 10,000 ISIS fighters in these camps, with at least 2,000 classified as highly dangerous.
“I think that we still have some work to do in terms of keeping a foot on the throat of ISIS,” Austin said.
Since 2015, U.S. forces have worked alongside the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to combat ISIS. While the SDF has been instrumental in countering ISIS, it faces mounting challenges following the December collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Turkey views the SDF as an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group Ankara designates as a terrorist organization.
Turkey issued warnings of military action unless Kurdish forces withdraw from key border areas. Ankara-backed forces recently seized the town of Manbij, further complicating the SDF’s ability to manage over 10,000 ISIS detainees under its custody.
Fear of ISIS resurgence drives support of US troops in Syria
SDF Commander Gen. Mazloum Abdi called for continued U.S. support, warning that a withdrawal could enable ISIS to regain strength and destabilize the region.
Abdi referenced a recent ISIS-inspired attack in New Orleans as evidence of the group’s persistent threat.
“The key factor of stabilization in this area is the U.S. presence on the ground,” Abdi said.
Discussions remain ongoing about the establishment of a U.S. and French-led demilitarized zone along the Turkey-Syria border to de-escalate tensions between Turkish forces and the SDF.
French officials, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, voiced strong support for Kurdish forces, emphasizing their vital role in combating ISIS.
Outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken also stressed the importance of the SDF’s work in guarding thousands of ISIS detainees, calling it a critical security interest for both the U.S. and Turkey.
Future of US troops in Syria uncertain
The long-term presence of U.S. troops in Syria remains uncertain as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.
During his first term, Trump proposed withdrawing U.S. forces from Syria. This lead to a Turkish offensive against Kurdish territories and the resignation of then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
Trump has not yet announced specific plans for Syria, leaving questions about the U.S. role in the region unanswered.
US eases restrictions on aid for new Syrian government
The U.S. is easing its restrictions on aid to the rebel groups now governing Syria. It’s a step toward support for the Islamist rebels leading the country.
But it’s also a sign of caution from the U.S. as they wait to see whether the government will keep its promises to protect the rights of women and ethnic minorities.
The Treasury Department issued waivers on Monday, Jan. 6, allowing electricity, oil and gas into Syria for six months.
The U.S. tightened sanctions on Syria during the country’s 13-year civil war, which ended with last month’s rebel victory.
The Wall Street Journal spoke to a senior U.S. diplomat who said Syria will stay on the state sponsors of terrorism list. The diplomat added that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group leading the new government, will also stay on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations.
“Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” President Biden said on Dec. 8. “We’ve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days. And they are saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions.”
This isn’t the U.S. government’s first move toward easing restrictions on its new Syrian counterpart. The U.S. removed a $10 million bounty on the leader of HTS, which it had issued because of the group’s early links to Al-Qaeda.
Israel used commandos to blow up Iran’s missile factory in Syria
This past fall, Israel sent more than 100 commandos to carry out a raid on one of Iran’s missile production facilities in Syria. The raid happened in September, and the soldiers reportedly didn’t suffer a single casualty. The world only learned much about it because the Israeli Defense Force recently released some details and footage captured by the commandos during the mission.
So, let’s start at the beginning.
The raid, called “Operation Many Ways,” took place the night of Sept. 8. At the time, Bashar al-Assad was still ruling Syria, and Israel had not yet begun its major offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The target was an underground missile production facility, codenamed “Deep Layer.” As its codename suggests, the facility was buried between 230 and 430 feet deep in the mountains overlooking Syria’s Scientific Studies and Research Center.
Israel said the site was Iran’s flagship project to arm Hezbollah, the terrorist proxy in Lebanon that the IDF has since severely weakened.
The facility was built underground because the Israeli Air Force frequently targeted supply lines from Iran to Lebanon. By producing weapons underground and closer to Lebanon, Iran was trying to streamline transportation.
The IDF reported Deep Layer wasn’t fully operational but was close to producing weapons full time for Hezbollah. The facility was already manufacturing rocket motors at scale.
Planning for Operation Many Ways began in 2017 and even included forklift certification for some commandos, as they needed to use forklifts onsite to breach doors in the facility.
The operation involved 100 special operators from the Israeli Air Force’s Tier-1 commando unit, Shaldag, and 20 search-and-rescue soldiers.
The commandos breached the facility, while the search-and-rescue soldiers were on standby to provide medical treatment if needed.
The IDF said there was enough equipment to set up a small field hospital if needed. In the end, it wasn’t needed, as no injuries were reported. However, the medical personnel and equipment on sight underscored Israel’s commitment to the mission. The IDF was determined to destroy the facility before evacuating anyone.
Once inside, the commandos placed explosives on all the key elements needed for weapons manufacturing, gathered intelligence, and then exfiltrated to helicopters which took them home. After they exited, the explosives were detonated, destroying the facility.
Israel’s Air Force and navy conducted concurrent strikes in the area to provide cover while the commandos carried out the raid. The coordinated effort lasted about two and a half hours. Again, there were no reported injuries or casualties among the Israeli forces.
Some 30 Syrian guards and soldiers were killed during the operation. About an hour after the commandos pulled out of Deep Layer, hundreds of Syrian soldiers swarmed the site. Which just goes to show timing in operations like this, is everything.
Is the new leader in Syria more pragmatic than fanatic?
The Baathist regime ruled Syria with brutality since 1963. Then, in the span of a few weeks at the end of 2024, the dictatorship was overthrown, and Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia. The ouster came at the hands of the rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani and his group, known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.
“If you want to translate it, it’s sort of like ‘the Highest Authority for the Liberation of al’Sham’,” said Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence officer. “Sham is the name that has been known for history to the area that is today known by the name of the Levant. It includes what is today Syria and Lebanon and Israel and Palestinian territories.”
Al-Jolani has a long history of involvement with Salafi jihadist groups, including ISIS and al-Qaida. During the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2014, however, ISIS and al-Qaida broke ties.
“That was the time, roughly speaking, when Abu Mohammed al-Jolani basically turned towards this al-Qaida side, and started operating in Syria as al-Qaida’s branch under the name of Jabhat al-Nusra, which means the ‘Front of the Supporters’ or the ‘Disciples,’” Melamed said.
Al-Nusra grew into a powerful player in northwest Syria. The entire country is about the size of Washington State, and al-Nusra was carving out an area about the size of Delaware.
Melamed said the group was made up of a number of different fighters and factions from different countries. That conglomeration also brought in spiritual influences from foreign countries. It was during this time period that al-Jolani continued his journey away from the more extreme elements in Syria.
“In 2016, al-Jolani made an interesting move in two aspects,” Melamed said. “First, he announced that he’s detaching from al-Qaida, and basically emphasized that it has been done in mutual consent with the leadership of al-Qaida. And the other thing he did was to expose himself. He actually gave interviews before, but it was anonymous.”
Melamed said the announcement and split from al-Qaida was an interesting early indicator that Jolani was starting to focus more on the Syrian domestic identity rather than jihadism.
This shift wasn’t welcomed by all in al-Nusra, and actually led to some pretty violent internal fighting. But in the end, al-Jolani and his more pragmatic approach won out.
“And so Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, that actually was formed following this inner split,” Melamed said. “The interesting thing is that one of the significant ramifications of that was he was able, to a large extent, neutralize the influence of these foreign spiritual religious leaders. And that basically enabled him to increase [HTS’] political maneuvering capacities.”
Melamed was asked whether the shift from Jihadi influence to a more Syrian-centric focus suggests that the Jolani government is prioritizing national issues over spiritual Jihadi concerns.
“Well, you know, this is one of the major questions that bothers intelligence agencies and analysts,” he said. “It’s an open question, because on the one hand, we should remember, Jolani is coming ideologically from this camp. I mean, the man has been for the last two decades very much entrenched in a world of Salafi jihadi groups. So it’s definitely, I would say, part of its DNA.
“We should remind ourselves that in the end of the day, those Salafi jihadist groups like al-Qaida or ISIS are brutal, murderous organizations. We are all familiar with the atrocities those groups are involved in. And al-Jolani is coming from that world. Now, on the other hand, we can indicate the milestones where Jolani is actually taking a more, what we could call, a pragmatic approach.”
Melamed points to the stark differences between ISIS’ rule of its short-lived caliphate and al-Jolani’s governing style.
Idlib, in northwest Syria, has been under Jolani’s control for several years now. There, he created the political arm of HTS, called the Syrian Salvation Government, which is markedly more welcoming to progressive ideas in Syria.
For instance, under the SSG, women had many more rights and could even get a university education. A far cry from the brutality with which ISIS ruled, when petty theft could result in the perpetrator losing their hands and beheadings were quite common.
“Information that came from Idlib, which I evaluate as reliable, basically indicates that, at the end of the day, it was and is an Islamic-affiliated government,” Melamed said. “However, it could also be at the same time characterized as one that is not totally authoritarian; in the sense that it is leaving enough space of maneuvering to decide what are the things that it’s important for them to insist and to dictate, and what are the things that they don’t necessarily think are important and insist to dictate.”
In almost every interview since he seized power, al-Jolani talks about the future of Syria and how he wants to set up a government free from the brutality of the past and focused on the needs of Syria’s people.
He seems to be making headway in some Western circles too. The U.S. government canceled the $10 million bounty on al-Jolani’s head. In another sign of separation from past events, Jolani also changed his name. He dropped his wartime moniker and instead reverted back to his birth name, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Whether it’s all enough to earn him legitimacy on the world stage, and maybe more importantly to fellow Syrians, remains to be seen. But, if we believe what al-Sharaa told the BBC, a more diversified, free, and economically robust Syria may not be the stuff of fantasy anymore.
“The Syrian population lived together for thousands of years,” al-Sharaa said during a December 2024 interview. “We’re going to discuss all of it. We’re going to have dialogue and make sure everyone is represented. The old regime always played on sectarian divisions. But we won’t.”
And it will all take time. Al-Sharaa said it could be four years before Syria’s new constitution is written and a permanent government can be established.
US precision strike in Syria: 2 ISIS operatives killed, weapons destroyed
The U.S. military conducted a precision airstrike in Syria’s Dayr az Zawr Province on Monday, Dec. 23, killing two ISIS operatives and wounding a third. The operation also destroyed a truckload of weapons the group was transporting. The strike occurred in an area previously under the control of Syrian and Russian forces.
This airstrike is part of an ongoing U.S. effort to disrupt ISIS operations and prevent the terror group from regaining strength. It follows a series of recent strikes in the same region, including one last week that killed ISIS leader Abu Yusif and another operative. In total, U.S. forces report eliminating 12 ISIS operatives in Syria over the past week.
CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla underscored the importance of these actions, particularly as ISIS attempts to reorganize and free more than 8,000 of its members currently held in detention facilities. He emphasized that the U.S., in coordination with regional allies, remains committed to preventing ISIS from regaining strength or planning future attacks.
These operations are part of Operation Inherent Resolve, a coalition campaign against ISIS that began in 2014. According to Airwars.org, the coalition has conducted approximately 35,000 airstrikes across Iraq and Syria over the past decade, nearly 20,000 of which targeted ISIS positions and infrastructure in Syria.
While these efforts have significantly weakened ISIS and led to the loss of nearly all its territorial control, U.S. officials warn that the group remains a persistent threat.
Explosion sinks sanctioned Russian cargo ship off Spain’s coast
A Russian cargo ship tied to the country’s Defense Ministry sank in the Mediterranean Sea following an explosion in its engine room, leaving two crew members missing. The ship, named the Ursa Major, was reportedly on its way to Vladivostok, carrying two large port cranes and empty containers, according to the crew. The incident occurred about 57 miles off the coast of Spain.
Spanish rescue crews initially responded to the distress signal, rescuing 14 crew members and bringing them to safety in Cartagena. However, a Russian warship later arrived at the scene to take over operations. Video footage released on social media shows the vessel heavily listing before sinking.
The Ursa Major is operated by a company under U.S. sanctions for its ties to Russia’s military. Ukrainian intelligence has raised suspicions about the ship’s activities, claiming it may have been transporting military equipment from Russian bases in Syria following the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime.
These allegations, if true, could point to efforts by Russia to withdraw military assets from the region. Moscow has not yet commented on whether it will withdraw from Syria.
In a related development, another Russian vessel, the Sparta, reportedly broke down near Portugal. Ukrainian officials say it was en route to Syria to collect additional military equipment. The crew repaired the issue, and the ship has since resumed its journey.
The incidents come on the heels of another maritime loss for Russia — its third oil tanker sank in the Black Sea less than a week ago. Together, these events are drawing attention to Russia’s maritime activities, and raising questions about its ability to maintain a military presence beyond its borders.
US presence in Syria grows amid search for missing American journalist
The U.S. military says a strike killed ISIS leader Abu Yusif in Syria on Thursday, Dec. 19. It marks a significant step in America’s efforts to prevent ISIS from redeveloping after the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad nearly two weeks ago.
The strike came the same day the Pentagon acknowledged the U.S. has roughly twice as many troops in Syria as they previously disclosed. 2,000 U.S. troops are currently in Syria, rather than the 900 U.S. military officials previously said were there.
A Pentagon spokesperson says the higher number is unrelated to Assad’s fall. The larger presence, he said, is there temporarily to help bolster the U.S. fight against ISIS in Syria.
“Those forces, what they’ve been doing is all focused on the ‘defeat ISIS’ mission,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. “That core 900, approximately 900, those are going to be your longer-term deployers, right? Nine to 12 months, as I understand it, versus temporary forces, which are going to rotate in on a 30 to 90-day basis.”
Ryder said the situation’s sensitivity was why they did not share the number earlier.
Meanwhile, senior U.S. diplomats have traveled to Damascus to meet with rebel leaders. The visits come as U.S. officials hope to bring home U.S. citizens missing in the country, including journalist Austin Tice.
Tice, who would be 43 years old if found alive, went missing in 2012 during the Syrian civil war. Earlier this month, his family said they believe Tice is alive. President Joe Biden expressed hope that it was the case.
The U.S. is still grappling with how to handle the fall of Assad, something it had long hoped for. Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group currently in charge, is labeled a terrorist organization under U.S. law.
The State Department has said it could remove that label if HTS shows it can be tolerant and inclusive of religious minorities.
CNN is re-examining a recent report featuring a man described as a Syrian prisoner after a fact-checking group, Verify-Sy, claimed the man is actually a member of Syria’s air force intelligence, not a prisoner. In the original report, CNN’s chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, and her crew, escorted by Syrian rebels, found the man hiding in a locked cell at a Syrian base in Damascus.
The man identified himself as Adel Gharbal and claimed he had been in solitary confinement for three months. CNN reported he appeared shocked when informed that Bashar Assad’s regime had fallen.
Ward called the moment one of the most extraordinary of her career. She stated, “I have been doing this job for nearly 20 years now, and that really was one of the most extraordinary moments that I have ever witnessed.”
Verify-Sy identified the man as Salama Mohammad Salama, a former first lieutenant in Syria’s air force intelligence. Locals reportedly confirmed his identity.
The fact-checkers also pointed out that the man’s behavior did not align with what would be expected from someone who had been imprisoned and tortured for months. They noted his well-groomed appearance and his lack of reaction to bright light. It raised questions about the authenticity of his claims.
In response, CNN clarified that they made the report as events unfolded. CNN said it is now investigating whether the man provided a false identity to the reporter. The network says it will continue investigating the story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
At least 100,000 corpses believed to be killed under Assad regime found in Syria
The Syrian Emergency Task Force, a U.S.-based anti-Assad advocacy group announced on Monday, Dec. 16, the discovery of a mass grave just north of Damascus filled with at least 100,000 corpses killed by former Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s government. Mouaz Moustafa, the head of the advocacy group, said it’s just one of five mass graves he’s found over the years.
Moustafa said he believes 100,000 corpses is “the most conservative estimate,” alleging that there are likely more mass graves than the five sites. He also said these include the remains of U.S., British and other foreign citizens.
Moustafa told Reuters the evidence is based on the testimonies of workers who escaped Syria, accusing the intelligence branch of the Syrian air force of being in charge of transporting the bodies to mass graves after the victims died from torture.
The advocacy group also said the grave sites are unsecured and need to be preserved for evidence in future investigations.
Assad is reportedly estimated to have killed hundreds of thousands of Syrians since 2011. The regime launched a crackdown on protests against his rule, which eventually grew into a civil war.
Assad, who escaped to Moscow, denied any allegations of human rights violations. The Assad family ruled Syria for nearly 60 years and is accused of torture and mass executions of prisoners.
US urges American citizens to leave Syria amid violence and terrorism
The United States urged Americans in Syria to leave the country on Monday, Dec. 16, after the fall of the Assad regime earlier this month. The U.S. government warned the situation in Syria has become “volatile” and “unpredictable” with acts of violence and “terrorism” in the aftermath of a bloody civil war.
The U.S. instructed citizens unable to get out to “be prepared to shelter in place” for long periods. Officials added the U.S. government can “not provide any routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Syria.”
The United States also noted the U.S. Embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in 2012 and advised American citizens to contact the “U.S. Embassy in the country they plan to enter.”
Dictator Bashar Assad’s rule ended just over a week ago. He has been reportedly granted asylum in Moscow after he was overthrown by Syrian rebels.
The warning to Americans also comes as a more widespread conflict plays out.
Israeli airstrikes targeting missile warehouses along Syria’s coast rocked the region on Monday in what officials called the “most violent strikes” in more than a decade.
While rebels control much of Syria, the territory remains divided among different militant groups backed by foreign countries, including the United States and Turkey.