US and Israel Target Terrorists in Syria as Middle East Tensions Escalate

The militaries of the US and Israel have recently targeted terrorist groups operating out of Syria. 

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) explained they intercepted and apprehended Hamas terrorists plotting attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF troops in Syria.

“IDF troops executed a targeted, intelligence-based nighttime operation in Syria and apprehended several Hamas terrorists who had been attempting to advance multiple terror plots against Israeli civilians and IDF troops in Syria,” reads an IDF statement. 

Simultaneously, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported striking and killing an ISIS official leading anti-US operations. 

CENTCOM explained they conducted a “precision airstrike in Northwest Syria killing Rakhim Boev, a Syria-based ISIS official who was involved in planning external operations threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and civilians.”

Both Israel's and the US’s operations follow a trend of counterterrorism initiatives aimed at dismantling destabilizing factions and terror groups operating out of Syria.

For years, the US has pursued terrorists belonging to groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Northwest Syria.

Now, the US and its allies want to ensure such groups do not proliferate as Syria’s fledgling government is established.

Syria is undergoing a political transition following President al-Assad’s forced departure from the country after rebel forces took control of the country.  

Since then, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has remained at the helm of Syria as the country constructs a new government. 

However, the IDF and US strikes also come at the zenith of tensions in the Middle East, with the State Department recently warning all US citizens in the region to “exercise increased caution.” 

“Due to increased regional tensions, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens in the Middle East and North Africa region to exercise increased caution,” reads a State Department alert.

As US-Iran nuclear negotiations falter, US military action against Iranian energy infrastructure seems increasingly likely.

Trump previously warned Iran that failing to reach a negotiated end to their nuclear development programs would force the US to resort to military action to dismantle nuclear infrastructure forcibly.

Trump told reporters that if the Iranians “don't make a deal, there will be bombing."