First joint operation between Damascus and the international coalition against ISIS
Centcom states that the joint operation targeted more than fifteen ISIS weapons depots in southern Syria to prevent the extremist group from reorganizing its ranks.
U.S. Central Command (Centcom) announced that it carried out a joint operation against the terrorist organization ISIS in cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Interior in the south of the country, between November 24 and 27. This marks the first joint operation since Damascus joined the international coalition formed to counter the extremist group.
Centcom indicated in a statement that the operation targeted more than fifteen weapons depots belonging to the organization in southern Syria, noting that it represented an important step in countering ISIS attempts to rebuild its capabilities in the region.
The operation destroyed mortar rounds, rockets, weapons of various calibers, machine guns, anti-tank mines and materials used to manufacture improvised explosive devices.
Centcom commander Brad Cooper stressed that these operations aim to prevent ISIS from regaining strength in the region, adding: “This successful operation has further degraded the organization’s offensive capability. We will not allow the group to reach a level that would pose a threat to the United States and its allies.”
It is believed that this shift toward direct security coordination with the United States is not merely a field-level measure but also represents a political and economic opportunity for Damascus. Such cooperation could open broader channels of dialogue and offer the government increased room for maneuver on the international
stage, as well as potential political and economic gains or the reactivation of certain indirect cooperation frameworks. On the security level, this joint coordination would allow for more effective management of sensitive issues linked to counterterrorism and border control, thereby strengthening stability and giving Damascus new leverage in its regional and international relations.
On November 11, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus announced Syria’s accession to the international coalition against ISIS, which was formed under U.S. leadership in 2014. Counterterrorism was one of the key issues discussed by Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shar’a during his visit to Washington a few weeks earlier.
In a post on X at the time, the embassy wrote: “This is a pivotal moment in Syria’s history and in the global fight against terrorism. Syria has officially become the 90th partner to join the international coalition to defeat ISIS.”
The international coalition, established in 2014 under U.S. leadership, has since conducted military operations against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, with the participation of several countries. However, the Syrian government had not previously been a member.
The new government, emerging from an Islamic background and labeled “extremist” before taking power, now seeks to distance itself from the legacy of the previous regime, long accused of using extremist groups as a political pressure tool or overlooking their expansion to gain tactical advantages. It has also attempted to move closer to the West by carrying out operations against ISIS cells in several provinces.
This development may also be viewed as part of a broader effort by the new Syrian leadership to rebuild its relations with regional and international powers by demonstrating seriousness in counterterrorism, a highly sensitive issue in the region.
Al-Shar’a severed the link between Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and Al-Qaeda in 2016, fought fierce battles against ISIS for more than ten years and launched arrest campaigns and military operations against its cells in the HTS stronghold of Idlib. Washington worked to remove the names of Al-Shar’a and his interior minister, Anas Al-Khattab, from international terrorism lists.
ISIS attempted to return to Syria after the fall of Al-Assad, portraying Al-Shar’a’s rapprochement with the West and his commitment to govern all religious groups in the country as being contrary to Islam.
