US strikes 30 ISIS targets in Syria as it continues

Ten US military strikes in Syria hit more than 30 Islamic State targets in Syria earlier this month, as “relentless military pressure” on the terrorist network there continues, US Central Command announced Saturday.

CENTCOM, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said US forces attacked ISIS infrastructure and weapons storage targets between February 3 and 12.

The attacks were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched in retaliation for an ISIS ambush that killed Sergeant. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and an interpreter in Palmyra, Syria, on December 13.

President Trump promised “very serious retaliation” in a Truth Social post after the ambush.

On December 19, the The United States launched airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation. More than 70 targets were hit in those strikes, a U.S. official told News themezone at the time.

In January, US forces killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasimwho authorities say was an Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader allegedly directly linked to the ISIS gunman accused of the deadly ambush.

“The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our determination to pursue terrorists who attack our forces,” Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement at the time. “There is no safe place for those who lead, plan or inspire attacks against American citizens and our fighters. We will find them.”

More than 50 ISIS terrorists have been killed or captured and more than 100 ISIS infrastructure targets have been hit during the operation, CENTCOM said Saturday.

On Friday, US military forces complete transfer of thousands of ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq, where they are expected to be tried in the future.

CENTCOM said that in the transfer that began Jan. 21, U.S. forces transported more than 5,700 adult male ISIS suspects from detention centers in Syria to Iraqi custody.

The prisoners were transferred to Iraq at Baghdad’s request, a move welcomed by the US-led coalition that had fought ISIS for years.

“We appreciate Iraq’s leadership and recognition that the transfer of detainees is essential to regional security,” Cooper said.

It is unclear if any of the prisoners have been charged with specific crimes or even confirmed as members of ISIS.