B-52 Bombers and A-10 Warthogs Just Launched an Attack on ISIS in Syria

We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

Key Points: Following the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched extensive airstrikes targeting ISIS camps and leadership to prevent the group’s resurgence.

-The operation, involving B-52s, F-15Es, and A-10s, struck over 75 targets and dropped approximately 140 munitions. CENTCOM emphasized its commitment to degrading ISIS and ensuring the group does not exploit Syria’s instability.

-Meanwhile, Turkish-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swiftly took Damascus, marking a significant shift in Syria’s political landscape.

-As ISIS remains a threat, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled a potential withdrawal from the region, citing Syria as a “mess.”

U.S. Military Hits ISIS Hard After Assad Regime’s Collapse in Syria

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out numerous strikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) on Sunday, striking the terrorist group’s camps while targeting its leadership. The operation, which included dozens of airstrikes on more than 75 targets in Syria, was carried out after the collapse of President Bashar Assad’s regime.

U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers, F-15E Strike Eagles multirole fighters, and A-10 Thunderbolt II close air-support (CAS) aircraft hit ISIS positions, and according to CENTCOM dropped about 140 munitions on key targets as an effort to prevent the group from regaining strength in Syria.

“The strikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS, 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,” CENTCOM announced on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “The operation struck over 75 targets using multiple U.S. Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s. Battle damage assessments are underway, and there are no indications of civilian casualties.”

CENTCOM has vowed that will continue to carry out operations to ensure that ISIS is unable to mount a resurgence.

U.S. Show of Air Power

While around 900 U.S. military personnel are currently deployed in Syria, a U.S.-led coalition was first deployed to the region in 2019’s Operation Inherent Resolve to dismantle “the Islamic State’s self-declared caliphate,” Air & Space Forces magazine reported. The remaining troops are based in “eastern Syria [and] have been working with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that are battling the remnants of the Islamic State as it has sought to make a comeback.”

In recent months, the U.S. Air Force has increased its air power – rotating combat aircraft including the B-52s, F-15Es, and A-10s, as well as F-22 fifth-generation air superiority stealth fighters to the region. Though ISIS has been a concern, the aircraft were deployed to deter aggression from Iran and its numerous proxies, including Hezbollah and the Yemen-based Houthis. The aircraft were positioned according to strike the Islamic State’s key positions.

“There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria,” said 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.”

The Quick Fall of Assad

The brutal Syrian Civil War has been raging for 13 years, but the Turkish-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) made stunning gains in recent weeks, which sent shockwaves throughout the Middle East. The group took advantage of Israel’s weakening of Iran and its main proxy Hezbollah, which had helped prop up Assad’s regime.

In addition, the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine hindered Russia’s ability to support the Syrian forces, and HTS exploited the situation and launched its offensive – quickly taking Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city last week, before taking the capital of Damascus over the weekend.

A-10 Warthog. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

HTS, which had ties with Al Qaeda until 2016, has been designated a terrorist group. However, its leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani has attempted to reinvent himself and the rebel group. The U.S. military will likely be watching the situation closely – although incoming President Donald Trump has suggested the U.S. would withdraw from the region, and described Syria as a “mess.”

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Senior Editor focusing on defense issues for 19FortyFive. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,500 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on X: @PeterSuciu – and on Bluesky: @petersuciu.bsky.social.