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The United States has carried out a joint counterterrorism operation with Syria’s security forces targeting ISIS weapons caches and infrastructure in southern Syria.

Getting into it: The operation, conducted between November 24 and 27, marked the most significant public collaboration between the US and Syria since the two countries formalized security cooperation. Forces from US Central Command (CENTCOM) and Syria’s Interior Ministry coordinated a series of airstrikes and ground operations across parts of the Rif Dimashq province, just outside Damascus. The mission resulted in the destruction of over 15 ISIS weapons depots, including more than 130 mortars and rockets, anti-tank mines, machine guns, and components used to manufacture improvised explosive devices.

Additionally, large caches of illicit drugs were seized and destroyed, indicating ISIS’s reliance on trafficking to fund its activities. Syrian security forces, supported by US intelligence and aerial surveillance, also conducted follow-up raids leading to the capture and killing of several ISIS operatives.

This joint mission followed the signing of a security agreement between Syria and the United States which saw Syria officially join the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Brokered after President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s recent visit to Washington and talks with President Donald Trump, the agreement marks Syria’s formal realignment with the West after years of isolation. It also signifies the legitimization of Syria’s new government, which emerged after the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the collapse of his Iran- and Russia-backed regime.

This evolving relationship comes as the US rolls back sanctions on Syria. This move has led to the flow of foreign investment, particularly from Qatar.