Statements

Oct. 7, 2019

Office of the Secretary of Defense statement on Northern Syria

"The Department of Defense made clear to Turkey - as did the President - that we do not endorse a Turkish operation in Northern Syria. The U.S. Armed Forces will not support, or be involved in any such operation."

Oct. 3, 2019

Coalition calls for reduced tensions in Iraq

“The Coalition is monitoring reports of protests. We call on all sides to reduce tensions and reject violence. The loss of life and injuries—among civilians and Iraqi Security Forces—is deeply concerning. We believe that peaceful, public rallies are a fundamental element of all democracies; there is no place for violence in those demonstrations. We rely on protection from Iraqi Security Forces. This morning’s explosions in the International Zone are under investigation by Iraqi Security Forces; we appreciate the ISF’s rapid response. No Coalition facility was struck. Coalition troops always reserve the right to defend ourselves, attacks on our personnel will not be tolerated. The Coalition is here at the invitation of the Government of Iraq, and we continue to support them in the mission to defeat Daesh (ISIS) remnants and achieve long-term regional security.” ~Col. Myles B. Caggins III, Coalition Spokesman

Sept. 27, 2019

DOD Statement on Deployment of U.S. Forces and Equipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Attributed to Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman: "In light of recent attacks on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and at their invitation, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper announced today that the U.S. would deploy the following equipment to the kingdom:

Sept. 19, 2019

Statement from General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., Commander, U.S. Central Command, Welcoming the United Arab Emirates into the International Maritime Security Construct

U.S. Central Command welcomes the United Arab Emirates into the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC).

Sept. 18, 2019

Statement from General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., Commander, U.S. Central Command, Welcoming the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the International Maritime Security Construct

U.S. Central Command welcomes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC).

Sept. 12, 2019

Readout of Visit from U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command Deputy Commanders to Turkey

Deputy commanders from U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) visited Ankara this week to meet with Turkish General Staff (TGS) leaders to discuss key topics related to the implementation of the northeast Syria security mechanism.

Sept. 9, 2019

Senior leaders from U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command to meet with Turkish General Staff

Deputy commanders from U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) are meeting with Turkish General Staff leaders in Ankara early this week to discuss key topics related to the implementation of the northeast Syria security mechanism.

Aug. 31, 2019

Statement from U.S. Central Command on U.S. Forces strike against al-Qaida in Syria leadership in Idlib, Syria, Aug. 31, 2019.

U.S. Forces conducted a strike against al-Qaida in Syria (AQ-S) leadership at a facility north of Idlib, Syria, Aug. 31, 2019.

Aug. 27, 2019

Statement on Recent Attacks in Iraq

Department of Defense Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan R. Hoffman provided the following statement: U.S. forces did not conduct the recent attack on a convoy or any recent attacks that resulted in the explosion of ammunition storage facilities in Iraq. Statements to the contrary are false, misleading, and inflammatory.

Aug. 21, 2019

CENTCOM investigates reports of Houthi-claimed attack on UAS

"We are investigating reports of an attack by Iranian-backed Houthis forces on a U.S. unmanned aerial system (UAS) operating in authorized airspace over Yemen. We have been clear that Iran's provocative actions and support to militants and proxies, like the Iranian-backed Houthis, poses a serious threat to stability in the region and our partners." - attributable to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Earl Brown, a CENTCOM spokesman