The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a series of precision airstrikes against ISIS in central Syria on Sunday, hitting over 75 strategic targets. This operation, which involved B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, and A-10 close air support aircraft, comes as the Assad regime nears collapse amid growing instability in the region.
General Michael Erik Kurilla, head of CENTCOM, emphasized the importance of these strikes in preventing ISIS from regrouping and launching external attacks. “There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” Kurilla stated. The strikes were specifically aimed at ISIS leaders, operatives, and training camps. Preliminary assessments indicate no civilian casualties.
Joe Biden described the situation in Syria as both “a moment of risk” and “a historic opportunity.” He hailed the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime as a blow to Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, who had supported Assad for years. Biden pledged ongoing humanitarian aid to Syria, similar to efforts in Ukraine and Africa. “We’re clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of the new vacuum… We will not let that happen,” Biden declared.
However, President-elect Trump has expressed a starkly different view. In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump reiterated his longstanding stance against U.S. involvement in Syria’s internal conflict. “THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” Trump wrote, warning against further entanglement in another foreign conflict.
Steve Bannon echoed Trump’s sentiments on his show, accusing the Biden administration of creating chaos in its final days. Bannon highlighted Trump’s consistent focus on “peace and prosperity” and criticized endless foreign wars as benefiting global elites at the expense of ordinary citizens. “The elites get the monetary benefit of the arms and economics, and the average person pays the price,” Bannon said, pointing to Ukraine as a prime example.
The CENTCOM airstrikes also followed widespread operations by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) targeting military installations in Syria. These strikes were aimed at preventing the transfer of advanced weaponry to hostile groups threatening Israel.
As the Assad regime crumbles and ISIS attempts to reassert itself, the contrast between Biden’s interventionist approach and Trump’s non-interventionist policy underscores a pivotal debate in U.S. foreign strategy. The coming transition in leadership will shape America’s role in the Middle East for years to come.
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