The U.S. Central Command announced on Sunday that it has carried out 15 operations against ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) since October 7, amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East. These operations come in response to a new series of attacks launched against American forces in both Iraq and Syria during the same period, following the eruption of hostilities between Hamas and Israel.

According to official reports shared on X (formerly Twitter), at least two ISIS operatives were killed, and 27 others were detained by the U.S.-led coalition forces and its partner organization, officially named the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR).

The U.S. Central Command has reaffirmed its commitment to the "enduring defeat of ISIS," an organization that had lost its vast territorial holdings in 2017 in Iraq and two years later in Syria.

These operations have occurred as U.S. forces in the Middle East have been on high alert since October 7 due to constant aerial attacks and the threat of regional escalation amidst the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict. In response to these heightened tensions, two U.S. carrier strike groups have been deployed to the region.

To counter the threats, American forces have also deployed air defense systems, successfully intercepting drone and rocket attacks. However, these defensive measures have not been entirely foolproof, with at least 24 U.S. troops sustaining injuries amid the recent wave of attacks.

Notably, Iranian-backed groups are frequently attributed to the threats and attacks against U.S. forces in the region.

The coalition responsible for these operations is an alliance of over 80 members, including Western nations and security consortiums. Formed in September 2014, this coalition was established to combat ISIS militants, who had seized vast swathes of territory in a lightning offensive in both Iraq and Syria. The coalition includes Iraqi and Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces, along with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

As tensions remain high in the region, the United States and its coalition partners continue their efforts to eliminate the ISIS threat and maintain stability in the Middle East.