US Neutralizes 25 ISIS Operatives in Syria After Retaliatory Strikes

• US military killed or captured nearly 25 ISIS operatives in Syria between December 20-29.
• Operations followed retaliatory strikes after two US service members and a civilian interpreter were killed by ISIS on December 13.
• Seven ISIS members were killed, others captured; four weapons caches destroyed during 11 missions.
• Adm. Brad Cooper of CENTCOM affirmed US commitment to eradicating the ISIS threat.
• Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard were identified as the fallen service members.

Why It Matters: US intensifies anti-ISIS operations in Syria, neutralizing nearly 25 operatives in retaliation for troop deaths.