U.S., Syrian Forces Destroy ISIS Weapons Caches in Southern Syria in Combined Operation

Latest Developments

• CENTCOM Announces Combined Operation Against ISIS: United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that U.S. forces and forces from the Syrian Ministry of Interior had “located and destroyed more than 15 sites containing ISIS weapons in southern Syrian” between November 24 and 27. The press release noted that “U.S. personnel from Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve, worked with Syrian forces in identifying and eliminating the ISIS weapons storage facilities across the Rif Damashq province during multiple airstrikes and ground detonations.” During the combined operation, the forces destroyed “over 130 mortars and rockets, multiple assault rifles, machine guns, anti-tank mines, and materials for building improvised explosive devices.”
• First Operation Since White House Visit: The combined operation marked the first major publicized operation between U.S. and Syrian forces since Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with U.S. President Donald Trump on November 10. Following that meeting, the Syrian minister of information announced that Damascus signed a “political cooperation declaration” with the U.S.-led coalition to combat ISIS, “affirming its role as a partner in counter-terrorism” but without any “military components.” In addition, a U.S. official stated that Washington “will allow Syria to resume operations at its Embassy in Washington to further counterterrorism, security, and economic coordination.” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated that “this successful operation ensures gains made against ISIS are lasting and the group is not able to regenerate or export terrorist attacks to the U.S. homeland and around the world.”
• U.S. Sanctions Suspension Extended During Washington Visit: Trump previously repealed most sanctions against Damascus and granted a six-month waiver for Caesar Act sanctions after meeting with Sharaa in Saudi Arabia in May. Following their subsequent meeting at the White House, Trump extended the Caesar Act waiver for an additional six months.

FDD Expert Response

“It’s a milestone for U.S. troops to be working with Syrian government forces to counter ISIS. At the same time, it’s an indicator of the persistent threat that ISIS poses in areas nominally under the control of Damascus. To keep ISIS down, the United States also needs to keep working with our Syrian Kurdish partners in the northeast. Partnering with Damascus complements that effort. It does not replace it.” — David Adesnik, Vice President of Research

“This news of higher profile U.S.-Syrian collaboration against ISIS is to be welcomed but with some caution. It mirrors less wholehearted and more secretive counterterrorism cooperation with the Taliban against the Khorasan Province, ISIS’s affiliate in Afghanistan and its surrounding region. It is legitimate to ask whether ISIS really poses a more serious strategic threat to the West than the al-Qaeda-affiliated groups that are still associated with the Taliban and with President al-Sharaa’s coalition. Proof of Sharaa’s bona fides will not come from his working with Washington to defeat a group that opposes him and means him harm; it will come if he demonstrates that he is committed to governing in the interests of all Syrian communities and offering security to all of Syria’s neighbors.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow

“This strike simultaneously demonstrates both the continued threat from ISIS and the potential for security cooperation with Damascus, but Washington should advance this cooperation warily given serious questions associated with the regime.”— Justin Leopold-Cohen, Senior Research Analyst

“Cooperation between Syrian forces and U.S. troops is a positive step and signals that Syria is working to become a counterterrorism partner. But at the same time, Damascus must ensure that radical elements within its ranks are removed. The security forces integration process was rushed, creating undisciplined factions that do not follow orders. If this counterterrorism relationship is to continue, Syria must focus on reforming its security apparatus and removing any radical forces.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Russia Eyes Return to Southern Syria,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“Clashes erupt between Syrian government troops and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“Syrian Government Condemns Israeli Prime Minister’s Visit to Troops in Southern Syria,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israeli prime minister and top officials visit Syria ‘buffer zone’ as Israel-Syria talks stall,” by Seth J. Frantzman