Category: US Central Command

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 8, 2024

Release Number 20240408-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Between approximately 12:15 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. (Sanaa time) on April 8, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed an air defense system with two missiles ready to launch, a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, and one unmanned aerial system launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships.

Separately, at approximately 8:00 a.m. (Sanaa time) on April 7, an anti-ship ballistic missile was launched from a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden where a coalition ship was escorting M/V Hope Island, a Marshall Islands flagged, U.K. owned, Italian operated cargo ship. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships.

This was the fifth observed missile launch against this coalition ship and M/V Hope Island.

USCENTCOM is dedicated to protecting the freedom of navigation and making international waters safer and more secure for coalition and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 8, 2024

Release Number 20240408 – 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Central Command conducted an airdrop of humanitarian assistance into Northern Gaza on April 8, 2024, at 12:12 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.  The joint operation included one C-130 U.S. Air Force aircraft and U.S. Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of U.S humanitarian assistance supplies. 

The U.S. C-130 dropped more than 6,000 pounds of Jordanian food supplies which included dry goods into Northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid. To date the U.S. has dropped 742 tons of humanitarian assistance.

The DoD humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 7, 2024

Release Number 20240407 – 02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on April 7, 2024, at 1:10 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict.

The combined joint operation included Jordanian-provided food and three U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft.

The U.S. C-130s dropped over 38,000 meal equivalents, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza. To date the U.S. has dropped 739 tons of humanitarian assistance. The DoD humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 7, 2024

Release Number 20240407 – 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Between approximately 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (Sanaa time) on April 6, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed one mobile surface-to air missile system in Houthi controlled territory of Yemen. CENTCOM forces also shot down one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Red Sea.

Additionally, at approximately 6:00 p.m. (Sanaa time), a Coalition vessel detected and successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship missile.

There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships. It was determined that these systems presented a threat to U.S. and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. CENTCOM is dedicated to protecting the freedom of navigation and making international waters safer and more secure for Coalition and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 6, 2024

Release Number 20240406 – 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – As announced by U.S. Central Command in September 2023, the Commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, directed U.S. Army Central to examine through supplemental interviews new information made available via public testimony and public statements surrounding the Aug. 26, 2021, terrorist attack at Abbey Gate outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The supplemental review specifically sought to determine the following: 1) whether an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) test run occurred near Abbey Gate on Aug. 21, 2021; 2) whether, before the attack occurred, service members identified in the crowd the suicide bomber who committed the attack; and 3) whether service members posted at or around Abbey Gate had an opportunity to engage the bomber prior to the attack.

The review also focused on the Taliban’s use of excessive force and the decision to consolidate the defensive perimeter around Abbey Gate before the attack.

Over five months, a team of 13 service members from both the Marine Corps and the Army travelled to 24 locations, conducted more than 50 interviews, including 12 service members who were not previously interviewed due to medical evacuation or treatment and compiled more than 1,200 additional pages of documents, information, and imagery.

The interviews sought to determine whether those service members possessed any new information surrounding the attack, and, if so, whether that information would affect the findings of the initial Abbey Gate investigation, completed in November 2021.

The supplemental review team has completed its interviews and informed senior Departmental leadership of its assessments, conclusions, and recommendations.

The family members of those killed at Abbey Gate and select survivors affected are currently being informed of the findings of the supplemental review.

Our focus at this time continues to be on fulfilling our solemn obligations to the Abbey Gate Gold Star Families. We ask that you continue to respect their privacy. We will provide more information following the completion of family and survivor briefs.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 5, 2024

Release Number 20240405 – 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Central Command, along with our Defeat ISIS partners, Iraqi Security Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces, conducted 94 Defeat ISIS Missions resulting in 18 ISIS operatives killed and 63 detained from January through March. In Iraq, 66 partnered operations resulted in 11 ISIS operatives killed and 36 ISIS operatives detained. In Syria, 28 partnered operations resulted in 7 ISIS operatives killed and 27 ISIS operatives detained.

The continued pursuit of the approximately 2,500 ISIS fighters at large across Iraq and Syria is a critical component to the enduring defeat of ISIS.  Equally vital are the ongoing international efforts to repatriate more than 9,000 ISIS detainees in detention facilities in Syria, and the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of more than 45,000 individuals and families from the Al Hol and Al Roj camps. CENTCOM supports United States efforts to maintain sustained pressure to address the persistent ISIS threat.  

“We are committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS because of the threat they pose both regionally and globally. We continue to focus our efforts on specifically targeting those members of ISIS who are seeking to conduct external operations outside of Iraq and Syria and those ISIS members attempting to break out ISIS members in detention in an attempt to reconstitute their forces,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. “Defeating this threat requires continued pressure from our partners and the Coalition.”

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 4, 2024

Release Number 20240404- 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – At approximately 2:20 p.m. (Sanaa time) on April 4, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed one anti-ship missile (ASM) in a Houthi controlled territory of Yemen. There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships.

It was determined that the missile presented a threat to U.S. and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region. CENTCOM is dedicated to protecting the freedom of navigation and making international waters safer and more secure for Coalition and merchant vessels.

 

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 4, 2024

Release Number 20240404- 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command conducted an air drop of humanitarian assistance into Northern Gaza on April 4, 2024, at 12:18 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict.

The joint operation included four C-130 U.S. Air Force aircraft, and U.S. Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of U.S humanitarian assistance supplies.

The U.S. C-130s dropped over 50, 680 U.S. meal equivalents into Northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid. 

During today’s mission, approximately 20 bundles landed in the sea near the shoreline. USCENTCOM does not assess civilian harm or damage to infrastructure at this time but continue to monitor the situation.

The DoD humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 3, 2024

Release Number 20240403- 02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – Between approximately 3:49 to 10:00 a.m. (Sanaa time) on April 3, USS Gravely (DDG 107) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully engaged and destroyed one inbound anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) and two unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen towards USS Gravely in the Red Sea.

There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition, or commercial ships.

Additionally, during this timeframe CENTCOM forces destroyed a mobile surface-to-air missile system in Houthi controlled territory.

It was determined these systems presented a threat to U.S. and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region.

U.S. Central Command is dedicated to protecting the freedom of navigation and making international waters safer and more secure for Coalition and merchant vessels.

Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

April 3, 2024

Release Number 20240403- 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command and the Royal Jordanian Air Force conducted a combined humanitarian assistance airdrop into Northern Gaza on April 3, 2024, at 1:06 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians in Gaza affected by the ongoing conflict.

The combined joint operation included Jordanian provided food and three U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft. The U.S. C-130s dropped over 38,000 meal equivalents, providing life-saving humanitarian assistance in Northern Gaza.

During today’s mission, approximately four bundles landed in the sea. USCENTCOM does not assess civilian harm or damage to infrastructure at this time but continues to monitor the situation.

The DoD humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries.