U.S. forces carried out a series of air and ground strikes against Islamic State targets in eastern Syria earlier this month, hitting more than 30 locations linked to the militant network as part of an ongoing campaign aimed at disrupting its operations.
The strikes, conducted between Feb. 3 and Feb. 12, targeted weapons storage areas, logistical infrastructure and other facilities associated with the group, according to a statement from United States Central Command, which oversees American military activities across the Middle East.
The command said the operations were intended to maintain sustained pressure on Islamic State remnants still active in parts of Syria.
Military officials did not disclose the precise locations of the strikes or the types of aircraft and weapons used, citing operational security.
The announcement nonetheless underscored Washington’s continued reliance on targeted military action against militant networks despite a reduced troop footprint in the region following the territorial defeat of ISIS several years ago.
The latest operations come amid broader U.S. efforts to weaken militant leadership structures and prevent the group from rebuilding capabilities after losing its self-declared caliphate in 2019.
CENTCOM said more than 50 suspected ISIS fighters had been killed or captured during the wider operation linked to the recent strikes, while over 100 infrastructure targets had been destroyed.
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Separately, the U.S. military confirmed it had completed the transfer of thousands of detainees held in Syria to neighboring Iraq, marking one of the largest prisoner movements connected to the anti-ISIS campaign in recent years. The relocation began on Jan. 21 and concluded on Friday, involving more than 5,700 adult male detainees transported from detention facilities in Syria into Iraqi custody.
According to CENTCOM, the transfer was carried out at the request of the Iraqi government, which has sought to prosecute suspected militants domestically.
The U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS supported the move, viewing it as a step toward resolving longstanding concerns over overcrowded detention sites in northeastern Syria, many of which are guarded by local partner forces with limited resources.
Adm. Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, said Iraq’s decision to accept the detainees represented an important contribution to regional stability. “We appreciate Iraq’s leadership and recognition that transferring the detainees is essential to regional security,” Cooper said in the statement.
U.S. officials did not specify whether the transferred individuals have been formally charged with crimes or confirmed as ISIS members through judicial proceedings.
Human rights organizations and legal observers have previously raised concerns about due process for detainees captured during counterterrorism operations, particularly those held for extended periods without trial.
The recent strikes follow earlier U.S. military action in Syria late last year. On Dec. 19, American forces launched a separate wave of airstrikes against ISIS targets in response to militant activity, hitting more than 70 sites, a U.S. official told CBS News at the time.
Officials described those attacks as retaliatory measures intended to deter threats against U.S. personnel and coalition partners operating in the region.
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In January, U.S. forces also conducted an operation that killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, whom authorities described as a senior operative affiliated with Al-Qaeda. U.S. officials said al-Jasim had connections to an ISIS-linked gunman accused of carrying out a deadly ambush that killed three Americans. Military authorities framed the operation as part of a broader strategy targeting individuals believed to plan or inspire attacks on U.S. forces.
“The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” Cooper said following that operation, adding that individuals responsible for attacks against American personnel would continue to be pursued.
Despite sustained counterterrorism operations, U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that ISIS cells remain capable of conducting insurgent-style attacks across Syria and Iraq.
The group has shifted from holding territory to operating through decentralized networks, relying on hidden weapons caches, mobile fighters and local recruitment to maintain activity.
American troops remain deployed in limited numbers in northeastern Syria, primarily supporting local partner forces tasked with securing detention camps and conducting counterterrorism patrols. U.S. commanders have said these missions aim to prevent ISIS from exploiting political instability and security gaps in areas affected by years of conflict.
The Pentagon has not indicated any immediate change to troop levels or operational posture following the latest strikes. Officials said operations would continue based on intelligence assessments and coordination with regional partners.
CENTCOM did not provide a timeline for when the transferred detainees in Iraq might face legal proceedings.
Iraqi authorities have previously stated that investigations and prosecutions would proceed under domestic law, though no detailed schedule has been publicly announced.