The wave of strikes against 75 targets by B-52s, F-15Es and A-10Cs is meant to prevent the terrorist group from exploiting the current situation in Syria.
After Syrian rebels quickly seized the capital Damascus unopposed on Dec. 8, 2024, and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its forces conducted dozens of precision airstrikes targeting known ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria on the same day.
U.S. Strikes
The statement from CENTCOM said the operation struck over 75 targets using multiple U.S. Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s. The targets included ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps, attacked as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress conducts a combat air patrol in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. pic.twitter.com/t9F3qvJG45
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 6, 2024
CENTCOM stated that the strikes were conducted “in order to prevent the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria.” The command also mentioned battle damage assessments are underway, and there are no indications of civilian casualties.
Unusually looks like one of the Minot B-52s involved in the #Syria airstrikes was tracking for a short time on @flightradar24 this will have been on the RTB leg. pic.twitter.com/09WWNojtZz
— Saint1 (@Saint1Mil) December 8, 2024
“There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” said CENTCOM’s commander General Michael Erik Kurilla, “All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.”
Israeli Strikes
On the same day, the Israeli Air Force also conducted numerous strikes in Syria, although it is unclear if they were coordinated with CENTCOM. The Israeli Foreign Minister said the IAF struck suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets in Syria in order to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
Israeli Airstrikes earlier on Munitions Caches and Advanced-Weapons Systems at Mezzeh Air Base in the Syrian Capital of Damascus. pic.twitter.com/qOqR0RjbSU
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 8, 2024
According to the Times of Israel, strikes targeted ammunition and weapons depots at Khalkhalah airbase in Suwayda, several sites in the Daraa Governorate, and various targets in Damascus, including Mezzeh airbase, a major security complex in the Kafr Sousa suburb, a branch of the Scientific Studies and Research Center, and a central square that includes intelligence and customs headquarters.
A transporter-loader vehicle and TELAR of the Syrian Buk medium-range SAM system hit by Israeli strikes on the Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus. pic.twitter.com/TrsMb8R5kX
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) December 8, 2024
“The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens,” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters. “That’s why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists.”
As reported earlier, the IDF expanded the previously announce demilitarized zone in Syria. The expanded zone included the advantageous Hermon area that provides an elevated position in the local area that would be a key factor in deterring any advancing force from Syria. The IDF… pic.twitter.com/6WyVXuU49O
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 9, 2024
While Israel welcomed the fall of Assad, there is concern for what could come next. The Israel Defense Forces, meanwhile, temporarily established positions in the demilitarized buffer zone inside Syria created with the 1974 UN-monitored Disengagement Agreement.
The Fall of Damascus
The fall of Damascus on Dec. 8, 2024, put an end to six decades of the Assad family autocratic rule. After an almost 14-year civil war, the rebels were able to accomplish a lightning advance which forced the president and his family to flee to Russia.
The revolt, partly backed by Turkey and with roots in jihadist Sunni Islam, was led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The group was initially set up under a different name, Jabhat al-Nusra, in 2011 as a direct affiliate of al-Qaeda.
🇸🇾🇷🇺 | Russian Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter firing unguided rockets at Syrian militants in the area of the Syrian city of Homs today. pic.twitter.com/qJsqpxtFSG
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) December 6, 2024
A year later, its leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani publicly broke ranks with al-Qaeda, dissolved Jabhat al-Nusra and set up HTS merging with other groups. HTS is regarded as one of the most effective and deadly of the groups is Syria and declared as a terrorist group by the U.N., the U.S., Turkey and other countries.
The quick advance, led by HTS along with various Turkish-backed factions, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Southern Operations Room, and other armed groups, only took 12 days to capture Syria’s major cities and the capital. Syrian troops retreated putting little to no resistance to the rebels’ advance, with Russia providing limited support.
🇸🇾 | #Syria: Rebels show abandoned artillery positions of the Syrian army in the area of Sarujah camp in Hama Governorate.
At least one 2S3 Akatsiya 152mm SPG, one BM-21 Grad 122mm MRL, and one D-74 122mm towed gun were captured by HTS/affiliated forces. pic.twitter.com/x7PXGUtDVe
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) December 4, 2024
The Syrian rebel coalition has said it was working to complete the transfer of power to a transitional governing body with executive powers after Damascus was declared free. The prime minister under Assad, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, called for free elections and said he had been already in contact with al-Jawlani to discuss a peaceful transitional period.
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Assad’s fall, while acknowledging that this is also a moment of risk and uncertainty. “As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk,” Biden said.
The aftermath
With the rebel groups taking Damascus, Syrians both in the country and abroad started celebrating as the state television announced that Assad left Syria. Many troops of the Syrian Arab Army, once loyal to Assad, discarded their uniforms in the streets, while many reportedly fled to Iraq asking for refuge.
Russian serviceman films uniforms and equipment left behind by Syrian army soldiers who get changed into civilian clothes and fled. pic.twitter.com/G9ltv8Njkc
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) December 9, 2024
Soldiers of the Bashar Assad regime who crossed the Iraqi border and sought refuge in Iraq. pic.twitter.com/6owX0ZYMQR
— Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024
The War Zone posted satellite imagery of Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, showing signs of a possible evacuation with the arrival of three Il-76s and an An-124, in addition to the An-72 usually based there. The rebels agreed to guarantee the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria, including Khmeimim Air Base and naval facility at Tartous, without mentions of possible evacuations.
Signs of possible evacuation at Russia’s Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Multiple airlifters have arrived at the base. 3 IL-76s and 1 AN-124. The An-72 is usually forward based there. There also appears to be a Su-24 on the runway. Major uptick in airlifted presence. Expect more. pic.twitter.com/uFpCLGpJ4g
— The War Zone (@thewarzonewire) December 7, 2024
Claims swirled around an Il-76 departed from Damascus which reportedly crashed with Assad on board after it disappeared from flight tracking websites. The Il-76, registration YK-ATA, departed Damascus at 1:55 UTC on Dec. 8, operating as Syrian Air flight 9218.
It’s now been 24 Hours, and we still have no clue what happened to this Il-76 that took off last night during the Fall of Damascus, as well as who or what was its Cargo. The Aircraft descended to 1,600ft and then appeared to have Crashed to the West of Homs; NASA’s Global Fire… https://t.co/NUAKKfXYwH
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 9, 2024
While Assad has been confirmed in Moscow few hours later, there is no proof about the fate of the aircraft. As noted by expert OSINT tracker Evergreen Intel, the aircraft might have in fact landed at an airfield near Homs, which was 11 miles to the south of the last known track.
A) Yes
B) Irrelevant, flight data was consistently working right up to Homs as it should
C) Absolutely
D) “Quite good indication” is vague; data shows descent from FL210 to FL110 over 5 min to FL16 ~9 min later.
E) There is an airfield 11 miles to the south that runs parallel to the last known track
— Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555.bsky.social) 8 dicembre 2024 alle ore 08:03
