US Retaliatory Airstrikes: Breaking IS Momentum in Syria

The United States military has launched a series of airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria, a response to a December ambush that resulted in the deaths of two US soldiers and an American civilian interpreter. Over the past several days, US aircraft carried out 10 strikes on more than 30 IS targets, aiming at weapons storage facilities and other key infrastructure, according to a statement from US Central Command.

The operations have resulted in at least 50 IS militants being killed or captured. Since the strikes began after the December 13 attack, American forces have targeted more than 100 IS objectives, demonstrating a significant retaliatory action.

In other developments, Syria's Defence Ministry announced that its forces have taken control of the Al-Tanf base in the east, previously operated by US troops. This follows a coordinated transfer of IS detainees from Syria to Iraq, where they are set to face trial at Baghdad's request.