CENTCOM strikes 75 ISIS targets in Syria

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has carried out 75 airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria to prevent the terrorist organisation from capitalising on the destabilisation resulting from the fall of the ruling regime in Damascus, according to an 8th December CENTCOM press release. 

The airstrikes targeting ISIS leaders, operatives and camps in central Syria were conducted by F-15s, A-10s, and B-52s presumably in the few days leading up to the 8th December as the likely trajectory of events in Syria became clear. 

These were not the only airstrikes carried out by the US in recent weeks, an “imminent threat” to Military Support Site (MSS) Euphrates  in North Eastern Syria was reported when truck mounted multiple rocket launchers and armoured vehicles, which CENTCOM described as a T-64 fired in the direction of US forces. The vehicles were engaged and destroyed. This follows a strike in late November against militants preparing to launch a rocket at MSS Euphrates, which was countered with an A-10. 

The US presence in North Eastern Syria is primarily to prevent the expansion and reconstitution of ISIS, but also serves to prevent Iran from building an uncontested land bridge to Lebanon and Hezbollah, Michael Knights, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, told the Stars and Stripes publication earlier in December. This role is further emphasised by three airstrikes conducted in November, which CENTCOM states were in response to attacks by Iran-backed militias against its bases and personnel.

The US has been careful to draw a line between its actions in Syria and those of Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian opposition forces that have swept Assad’s regime from power in recent days. HTS is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US and its allies, and Washington is presumably keen to show that it has not taken an active role in overthrowing the Syrian regime. It has, however, backed the Syrian Democratic Forces in an offensive around Deir Ezzor which anonymous US officials state was against ISIS forces there. 

Tech profile: A-10 Warthog

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II departs after receiving fuel from a 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-10 Extender during a flight in support of Operation Inherent Resolve May 31, 2017. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate in low ceiling and visibility conditions. The wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Battles)

The A-10 Warthog is specifically designed to fly close air support strike missions with a titanium armoured cockpit and good pilot vision from a large bubble canopy. The cockpit sits forward of the wings to maximise visibility. With some parts of the flight system protected by titanium armour, and general manual redundancies in place for the plane’s hydraulic systems, the pilot will typically be able to land an A-10 even when damaged by enemy fire and hydraulic power is lost. Its self-sealing fuel tanks and the remaining survivability matrix mean that it can survive direct hits from a 23 mm high explosive round, which is typically the most significant threat that an A-10 will face when flying at low altitudes. 

The A-10 is perhaps best known for its centrally mounted 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun, which can fire 3,900 rounds a minute, leading to the ‘brrrrrt’ sound produced by the aircraft conducting a strafing run. It can also carry precision guided munitions like the AGM-65 Maverick, a close air support missile that comes in several variants with changes in the guidance system and warhead. There are two warheads, a shaped charge to defeat armoured vehicles and a penetrating warhead for most other targets. The guidance system uses either an electro-optical seeker, an imaging infrared seeker, or laser guidance. Between these variants, the A-10 and other aircraft that can carry a Maverick, can be reasonably certain of an accurate strike on their intended target. This is important on deployments like Syria and Afghanistan where it is critical to minimise and avoid collateral damage. The A-10 has eight underwing pylons and three under the body of the aircraft providing a maximum weapons load of 7,200 kg. 

Calibre comment

CENTCOM has been extensively engaged in kinetic strikes throughout the Middle East for many years with an uptick following the start of the Israel – Gaza war in October 2023. Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has involved extensive resources including recent interceptions of Houthi ballistic missiles, and strikes using a B-2 Spirit strategic bomber against hardened Houthi weapons bunkers in Yemen. It has generally sought to maintain some balance in the Middle East, striking opponents to degrade their offensive capabilities and attempting to establish some form of deterrence. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 9th December 2024.