A U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthog provides combat air support for Operation Inherent Resolve in 2015 in Iraq. On Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, U.S. Central Command announced U.S.-led strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, including strikes by A-10s that were successful in eliminating ISIS fighters within a cave. (Perry Aston/U.S. Air Force)
WASHINGTON — The U.S. military led strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria in the past week that resulted in the capture of an ISIS leader but caused the death of a non-U.S. coalition soldier and injured two non-U.S. personnel, U.S. Central Command said Monday.
CENTCOM and Iraqi forces conducted multiple strikes from Dec. 30 to Jan. 6 in the Hamrin mountains of Iraq against ISIS locations. During the operations, ISIS fighters engaged coalition forces.
But the U.S.-led coalition forces conducted airstrikes using F-16s, F-15s and A-10s. The A-10s tasked to support ground forces in the area were successful in eliminating the ISIS fighters within a cave, according to CENTCOM.
The coalition member killed and the two wounded were from two different countries. CENTCOM did not name the countries but said there no injuries to U.S. personnel or damage to U.S. equipment.
On Jan. 2-3, Syrian Democratic Forces supported by American forces conducted a strike against ISIS militants near Dayr az-Zawr in Syria resulting in the capture of an ISIS attack cell leader.
“Partnered operations like these are critical to maintaining pressure on ISIS and preventing the terrorist group from taking advantage of the rapidly changing security environment in the region,” said Army Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
The U.S. has stepped up airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria in the wake of the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s government last month. Syria remains unstable following the collapse of Assad’s regime, with rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham looking to install a new government.
The U.S. now has about 2,000 troops in Syria as part of an American-led coalition in that country and Iraq working to prevent a resurgence of ISIS. The Pentagon previously reported 900 U.S. service members, and an undisclosed number of contractors are operating in Syria, where they support local Kurdish forces. An additional 2,500 American troops are in Iraq.
