Oct. 28, 2019

Statement by Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper on the Operation to Capture or Kill Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

"This is a great day for America and a great day for the world. Last night, US joint special operations forces and interagency partners flawlessly executed a Commander-in-Chief directed operation to capture or kill Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. As a result, al-Baghdadi, who led the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terrorist movement and inspired one of the most brutal and misguided terror campaigns in modern history, is dead at the hands of the United States military.

Oct. 7, 2019

Office of the Secretary of Defense statement on Northern Syria

WASHINGTON D.C. — "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

BAGHDAD, 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

TAMPA, Fla. — 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

TAMPA, Fla. — 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

ANKARA, 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

ANKARA, Turkey — 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.

TAMPA, Fla. — 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.