On Sunday, American forces carried out dozens of airstrikes against the positions of the Islamic State group in central Syria. This information was published by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) through social networks. Joe Biden also expressed his opinion about the current situation in Syria and reported the support of Syrians in the creation of a new state.
As we read in the announcement of the Central Command of the United States, American troops attacked training camps and so-called fighters. Islamic State (ISIS) in central Syria.
“The attacks on ISIS leaders, fighters, and camps were carried out as part of an ongoing mission to disrupt, weaken, and defeat ISIS. The goal was to prevent the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not attempt to take over the Islamic State.” “Don't try to abuse ISIS. The current situation to restore the center of Syria.” – wrote CENTCOM.
Conflict in Syria EPA
About civilian casualties
In total, the Americans attacked more than 75 targets using US Air Force aircraft, including B-52s, F-15s and A-10s.
“The work to assess the losses caused by the battle is ongoing. There is no information about civilian casualties,” the statement said.
CENTCOM continues to write that “together with allies and partners in the region, we will continue to conduct operations to destroy the operational capabilities of ISIS in Syria.”
Conflict in Syria EPA
CENTCOM then points to the words of General Michael Eric Kurili, who has expressed strong opinions about the possible further actions of ISIS.
“There should be no doubt – we will not allow Daesh to re-emerge and take advantage of the current situation in Syria. All organizations in Syria should know that if they cooperate with or support Daesh, we will hold them accountable.” said the military official.
About 900 US troops remain in Syria, mostly based in the At-Tanf garrison in the east of the country. The main partner of the US forces is the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which in the past has clashed with both the Assad regime and Turkey-backed rebel groups in northern Syria.
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Joe Biden's speech
Joe Biden also commented on the situation in Syria on Sunday. He announced his support for the Syrians in establishing a new state.
– The Assad regime has finally fallen. This regime has literally brutalized, tortured and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. In his speech at the White House, Biden said this is a moment of historic opportunity for the long-time Syrian people to build a better future for their country.
The US president warned that the transition of power involves “significant risks and uncertainties”, given that some rebel groups have “a history of terrorism and human rights abuses”. However, he said the US would “do everything possible” to support Syrians in building a new future, including through humanitarian aid. He also announced that US forces will remain in Syria with a mission to fight the “Islamic State” so that terrorists do not take advantage of the opportunity to revive their activities. He reported that on Sunday the American forces carried out a series of strikes on the camps and places related to this group.
Speech by Joe BidenCNP / POOL
Biden noted that the fall of the Assad regime is the result of the weakness of its main allies – Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. He emphasized that this is also due to his administration's support for Israel's actions against Iran and its supporters in Syria and Lebanon.
The US president announced that the US would also support Syria's neighbors, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel, by defending against any threat from Syria during the transition phase.
“This is the best chance in generations for Syrians to build their own future. It's also an opportunity—though far from certain—for a safer, more prosperous Middle East where our friends are kept safe and our enemies are kept safe,” Biden said. He also warned Syrian opposition groups not to miss this opportunity.
Speech by Joe BidenCNP / POOL
– If a dictator falls in place only for another dictator to appear, he has lost this historical opportunity. Therefore, it is now the responsibility of all opposition groups that want to play a role in governing Syria to demonstrate their commitment to the rights of all Syrians, the rule of law and the protection of religious and ethnic minorities, Biden said.
Speech by Joe BidenCNP / POOL
The Americans were surprised
At the conference after Biden's speech, a senior White House official admitted that the US did not expect the Assad regime to fall so quickly, although behind the scenes it is taking measures together with partners, among others. control of Assad's stockpile of chemical weapons and for America's allies in Syria – the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces – to fill the vacuum of the regime in the east of the country.
In response to this question, does the US intend to cooperate with the strongest opposition group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is considered a terrorist organization by the US (based on the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, Nusra)? Front), the official confirmed that Washington intends to talk with all groups. He did not predict what would happen if HTS was recognized as a terrorist organization, but noted that so far the group's leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jawlani, has “said the right words” about Syria's future as a country for all groups and minorities. .
– (HTS) is a kind of vast kaleidoscope of groups and I think we have to be smart and know how to deal with it and also be very careful and pragmatic about the realities on the ground. “All we can say is that HTS is still saying the right things and doing the right things,” he said. However, he noted that HTS is one of the various opposition groups.
This official also said that in recent days, Washington has held intensive consultations with Turkey regarding Syria, including the Kurdish allies of America, whom Turkey considers a threat and an enemy. However, he noted that the talks focused on changes and the future of Syria.
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Main image source: EPA
