Trump’s America delivers a devastating blow to ISIS as CENTCOM and Syrian forces obliterate over 15 terrorist weapon storage sites in a historic joint operation that marks Syria’s dramatic shift from enemy to ally in the fight against radical Islamic terrorism.
Story Highlights
- CENTCOM and Syrian forces destroyed 15+ ISIS weapon cache sites containing 130+ mortars, rockets, and assault weapons
- Operation represents first major U.S.-Syria military cooperation under President al-Sharaa’s new government
- Syria officially joined the international coalition against ISIS as its 90th partner in December 2025
- Trump administration suspended Caesar sanctions for 180 days to incentivize Syria’s counter-terrorism partnership
Historic Military Partnership Emerges
U.S. Central Command and Syrian Ministry of Interior forces conducted coordinated strikes from November 24-27, 2025, across Rif Damashq province in southern Syria. The joint operation successfully eliminated more than 15 ISIS weapon storage facilities through precision airstrikes and ground detonations. Admiral Brad Cooper confirmed the operation destroyed 130+ mortars and rockets, multiple assault rifles and machine guns, anti-tank mines, IED materials, and illicit drugs used to fund terrorist activities.
Syria’s Strategic Realignment Under Trump
President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government formally joined the U.S.-led Coalition Against ISIS as its 90th partner in December 2025, completing a dramatic foreign policy realignment. This partnership emerged following high-level diplomatic meetings between President al-Sharaa and President Trump in Washington, where discussions centered on Syria’s commitment to international counter-terrorism efforts. The Trump administration suspended Caesar sanctions for 180 days as economic incentive for Syria’s cooperation against ISIS remnants.
Syrian forces demonstrated their commitment by conducting independent operations against ISIS cells days before meeting U.S. officials. Damascus arrested over 70 alleged ISIS-affiliated individuals and confiscated weapons and explosives, proving Syria’s genuine dedication to eliminating terrorist threats within its borders. This coordination represents a fundamental shift from Syria’s previous isolation to active participation in U.S.-led security frameworks.
Operational Success Degrades ISIS Capacity
The combined air-ground operation significantly degraded ISIS’s material capacity in southern Syria, where terrorist remnants have maintained presence since their 2019 territorial defeat. CENTCOM’s Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve coordinated with Syrian ground forces to identify and eliminate weapons storage facilities that could have supported future terrorist attacks. The destruction of IED-making materials directly undermines ISIS’s ability to conduct asymmetric warfare against civilian and military targets.
Admiral Cooper emphasized the strategic importance of preventing ISIS regeneration, stating the 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.” The successful coordination between U.S. air power and Syrian ground intelligence establishes an effective operational model for sustained counter-terrorism efforts in Syria’s complex terrain.
Long-Term Security Architecture
This operation validates President Trump’s approach of engaging regional partners to achieve American security objectives while reducing direct U.S. military involvement. The partnership establishes precedent for expanded U.S.-Syrian military cooperation that could extend beyond counter-terrorism to broader regional security issues. Syria’s transition from adversary to coalition partner represents a significant recalibration of Middle Eastern security dynamics that strengthens America’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
The successful operation demonstrates practical benefits of Syria’s coalition membership and could encourage extended sanctions relief if cooperation continues. Admiral Cooper’s commitment to “remain vigilant and continue to aggressively pursue ISIS remnants in Syria” signals sustained counter-terrorism operations under the new U.S.-Syria cooperation framework, ensuring lasting victory against radical Islamic terrorism.
Sources:
U.S., Syrian Forces Locate and Destroy ISIS Weapons Caches in Southern Syria
CENTCOM, Syrian forces destroy over 15 ISIS weapon storage sites
Syria joins international coalition against ISIS
CENTCOM conducts joint operation with Syrian army against ISIS weapon caches
