U.S. Military Strikes in Syria Highlight Challenges for Its Leader
The series of airstrikes conducted by the United States in Syria late on Friday highlighted the substantial obstacles confronting the nation’s president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, as he seeks to establish authority throughout the country and manage a delicate, emerging relationship with President Trump. U.S. fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery targeted more than 70 suspected Islamic State locations throughout central Syria, focusing on the group’s infrastructure and armament sites, as reported by the U.S. military’s Central Command. The operation was supported by Jordanian warplanes, it noted. The Syrian government did not directly address the extensive strikes but mentioned in a statement early Saturday that it was increasing its own military efforts against the Islamic State, known as ISIS. Following Syria’s entry into a global coalition to vanquish the Islamic State last month, the group has escalated its assaults, according to U.S. and Syrian officials, along with security analysts. “The Syrian Arab Republic encourages the United States and the other coalition members to assist in ways that help protect civilians and restore security and stability in the region,” the Syrian government asserted. Nanar Hawach, a leading Syria analyst at the International Crisis Group, a think tank, mentioned that Mr. al-Sharaa’s administration aims to display authority over Syria’s matters while coordinating with its international allies. Some of Mr. al-Sharaa’s more staunch supporters might react negatively to strikes performed by a Western nation on their territory, Mr. Hawach added. “The government is attempting diligently to navigate a delicate situation,” he explained. The U.S. airstrikes followed a declaration by Mr. Trump a week prior, stating he would take action against ISIS in response to the deaths of two American soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter in the historic city of Palmyra. No group has taken responsibility for that incident, although initial evaluations suggest it was likely executed by the Islamic State, according to Pentagon and U.S. intelligence officials. Syrian representatives indicated that the shooter was associated with the nation’s security forces and was due to be removed from duty due to his extremist views. These killings revealed ongoing vulnerabilities within Syria’s security framework. Some supporters of Mr. Trump have proposed a withdrawal of U.S. forces. Mr. al-Sharaa and his rebel groups rose to power just over a year ago after overthrowing Bashar al-Assad, the long-serving dictator of Syria. The country has since faced a broken economy, increasing sectarian strife, political unrest, and the rising menace of terrorism. Mr. Trump and Mr. al-Sharaa have maintained a cordial relationship, meeting at the White House in November. Recently, Washington lifted a final set of severe sanctions against Syria. Following the fatal attack on Americans last week, Mr. Trump reaffirmed his backing for Mr. al-Sharaa. “This incident was not related to him,” Mr. Trump told journalists on Monday. “This is an area of Syria that they truly have limited control over. It was unexpected. He feels very remorseful about it. He is addressing the situation. He’s a strong leader.” The U.S. previously executed extensive operations against ISIS while Mr. al-Assad was in power. Although the group’s influence has substantially waned in recent years due to military setbacks and loss of territory, it continues to have a presence in the central Syrian deserts. This month, the group claimed responsibility for killing four Syrian government officials in the Idlib governorate located in the northwest of the country. It also reported two assaults in the Deir al-Zour governorate in the east, one of which involved targeting an army vehicle with an explosive device.
Published: 2025-12-20 13:44:00
source: www.nytimes.com
