Matthew Dannoun

U.S. launches large-scale strikes on ISIS targets across Syria The latest attack comes after U.S. forces struck ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites last month in retaliation for the deaths of two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The military in December launched strikes against Islamic State group infrastructure and weapons. CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins told NBC News that more than 35 targets were struck in Saturday’s operation. More than 90 precision munitions were fired, and more than 20 aircraft were involved. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted about the strikes on X, saying, “We will never forget, and never relent.” The military said the strikes targeted ISIS “as part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region.” Source: NBC News 

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence has said its aircraft joined France in striking an underground facility in Syria that had likely been used by the ISIL (ISIS) group to store weapons, as the group appears to be resurgent after a period of relative dormancy in the region. “Royal Air Force aircraft have completed successful strikes against Daesh in a joint operation with France,” the ministry said of the Saturday night attack in a statement, using the Arabic acronym for ISIL The statement said the area, north of the ancient site of Palmyra, was “devoid of any civilian habitation”. The United States military in late December said it had killed or captured about 25 ISIL fighters in a wave of attacks over nine days in Syria. The Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees the US military’s Middle East operations, issued a statement on Tuesday marking the conclusion of the operations last month. The campaign followed the killing of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter by an ISIL a...