Jordan confirmed on Saturday that its air force participated in US-led airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria, in retaliation for an attack that killed three American citizens earlier this month. The Jordanian military stated that its aircraft carried out “precise airstrikes” targeting IS positions in southern Syria.
The US launched strikes on Friday against multiple IS sites in Syria, using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery to hit over 70 targets. US Central Command said the operation aimed to “eliminate” IS fighters and weapons following a shooting on 13 December that killed two US troops and an American civilian interpreter near Palmyra.
Jordan is a member of the 90-nation global coalition against IS, which Syria recently joined. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least five people were killed in the strikes, including an IS cell leader. The Jordanian statement said the operation sought to prevent extremist groups from using southern Syria as a launchpad to threaten regional security.
The US military noted that since the 13 December attack, US and partner forces have conducted ten operations in Syria and Iraq, resulting in the deaths or detention of 23 terrorist operatives. Over the past six months, more than 80 counterterrorism operations have been carried out in Syria.
President Donald Trump had promised “very serious retaliation” for the attack, which he blamed on IS. The assailant, a Syrian security guard recently reassigned while under investigation for suspected IS ties, opened fire during a meeting between US and Syrian officials before being killed.
