U.S. Airstrikes in Syria Target ISIS Amid Post-Assad Uncertainty

U.S. Airstrikes in Syria Target ISIS Amid Post-Assad Uncertainty

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a significant escalation of military operations, President Biden announced on Sunday that U.S. forces had carried out precision airstrikes in Syria to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The announcement, reported by The New York Times, calls attention to both the opportunities and challenges facing Syria after decades of repressive rule under Assad.

Speaking from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, President Biden celebrated the end of Assad’s authoritarian government, which he described as a brutal regime responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Syrians. “At long last, the Assad regime has fallen,”  Biden declared, according to the report in The New York Times. He characterized the regime’s collapse as a moment of justice and historic opportunity but cautioned against the risks of instability in the aftermath. “It’s a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country. It’s also a moment of risk and uncertainty,” he added.

To address these risks, Biden outlined immediate measures taken by the U.S. military to neutralize potential threats from ISIS, the extremist group that once controlled vast territories in Syria and Iraq. According to the information provided in The New York Times report, U.S. forces conducted a series of airstrikes on Sunday, targeting ISIS camps and operatives across central Syria. These operations aimed to dismantle any potential safe havens for the group amid the chaos following Assad’s downfall.

“We’re cleareyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capability,” Biden said. The New York Times reported that the strikes involved a dozen precision attacks using advanced military aircraft, including B-52 bombers, F-15 fighters, and A-10 warplanes. A statement from U.S. Central Command confirmed that more than 75 targets were struck, with no initial indications of civilian casualties.

General Michael E. Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, emphasized the military’s commitment to preventing ISIS from regaining a foothold. “There should be no doubt — we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” he stated, as cited by The New York Times. The general also warned all groups operating in Syria against collaborating with or supporting ISIS, stressing accountability for such actions.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that 140 munitions were deployed during the strikes and left open the possibility of additional operations in the near future. The official also disclosed, as reported by The New York Times, that the United States is maintaining contact with various groups in Syria, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a rebel faction formerly linked to Al Qaeda. Despite its designation as a terrorist organization by the State Department, HTS remains a key player in the complex landscape of Syrian opposition forces.

The fall of Assad’s regime marks a pivotal moment in Syria’s history, with both opportunities for democratic reforms and threats of destabilization looming large. The New York Times report highlighted regional experts’ concerns that the current upheaval could create conditions for ISIS to exploit and reestablish itself as a major force. These fears underline the critical role of international efforts, including U.S. military actions, in stabilizing the region and supporting Syria’s transition.

In his remarks,  Biden emphasized the United States’ commitment to addressing the broader implications of Syria’s upheaval, especially for neighboring countries. As reported by The New York Times, he announced plans to send senior officials to the Middle East and stated his intention to personally engage with regional leaders in the coming days. He focused on the importance of aiding allies such as Israel, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, which are facing potential spillover effects from the Syrian crisis.

“Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” he said. While acknowledging that these groups are “saying the right things now,” Biden stressed the importance of holding them accountable not only for their rhetoric but also for their actions as they take on leadership roles.

The president also pointedly addressed the issue of Assad’s accountability. While the deposed leader is reportedly in Moscow, where he has been granted asylum, Biden insisted that Assad must face consequences for years of brutal governance. “Assad should be held accountable,” he declared, as was indicated in The New York Times, reiterating his administration’s stance against impunity for crimes committed under the former regime.

Biden also highlighted the role of U.S. foreign policy in facilitating Assad’s fall, attributing the collapse of his support system to strategic American actions. As per the information contained in The New York Times report, the president detailed how U.S. military and diplomatic efforts weakened Assad’s key backers—Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah—making it impossible for them to prop up his government.

“Over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them, because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office,” Biden said. He credited American aid to Ukraine and Israel as pivotal in undermining Russia’s ability to sustain its influence in Syria while also crippling Hezbollah in Lebanon and thwarting Iranian attacks on Israel.

“This is a direct result of the blows” inflicted by U.S.-backed forces in Ukraine and Israel, the president added, describing the current situation as unprecedented. The New York Times report pointed out that for the first time, he noted, neither Russia, Iran, nor Hezbollah could defend Assad’s regime, marking a turning point in the decade-long Syrian conflict.

In his concluding remarks, President Biden acknowledged the plight of Austin Tice, an American journalist held in Syria for over a decade. As he left the podium, Biden was asked about Tice’s status. “We believe he’s alive,” he said, expressing cautious optimism. “We think we can get him back.”

The president’s speech, as reported by The New York Times, framed the fall of Assad as both a victory for justice and an opportunity for Syria to rebuild. However, he also struck a sober tone, acknowledging the challenges posed by rebel groups, the need for regional stability, and the importance of maintaining pressure on Assad and his former allies.