Statements

June 18, 2019

Statement From Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan on Additional Forces to U.S. Central Command

In response to a request from the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for additional forces, and with the advice of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and in consultation with the White House, I have authorized approximately 1,000 additional troops for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats in the Middle East.

June 16, 2019

Statement from US Central Command on attacks against U.S. observation aircraft

TAMPA, Florida — A U.S. MQ-9 was shot down over Yemen by what we assess to be a Houthi SA-6 surface to air missile on Jun 6, 2019. On June 13, 2019, according to our assessment, a modified Iranian SA-7 surface-to-air missile attempted to shoot down a U.S. MQ-9 over the Gulf of Oman.

June 13, 2019

U.S. Central Command Statement on June 13 Limpet Mine Attack in the Gulf of Oman

U.S. Naval Forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6:12 a.m. local time from the motor tanker (M/T) Altair and a second one at 7a.m. local time from the M/T Kokuka Courageous.

June 13, 2019

CENTCOM statement on recent events in the Gulf of Oman

"U.S. Naval Forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6:12 a.m. local time and a second one at 7:00 a.m. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command received the calls from the M/V Front Altair and M/V Kokuka Courageous, who were operating in international waters of the Gulf of Oman.

May 20, 2019

U.S. Central Command Statement on Explosion in Green Zone

"We are aware of an explosion in the International Zone (Green Zone) outside of the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad on May 19. There were no U.S. or coalition casualties, and Iraqi Security Forces are investigating the incident." Attributable to Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for U.S. Central Command

May 14, 2019

CENTCOM Statement on recent comments from OIR's Deputy Commander

MacDill AFB, Fl. — Recent comments from OIR's Deputy Commander run counter to the identified credible threats available to intelligence from U.S. and allies regarding Iranian backed forces in the region. U.S. Central Command, in coordination with Operation Inherent Resolve, has increased the force posture level for all service members assigned to OIR in Iraq and Syria. As a result, OIR is now at a high level of alert as we continue to closely monitor credible and possibly imminent threats to U.S. forces in Iraq. - Capt. Bill Urban, USN, Lead spokesman U.S. Central Command

April 26, 2019

Delivery of Humanitarian Assistance to Rukban

The United States is appalled by the Assad regime’s decision to reject the UN request to deliver a convoy of urgently needed humanitarian aid from Damascus to the Rukban encampment. We remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Rukban, especially as the Holy Month of Ramadan is about to begin. We urge the Assad regime and Russia to permit deliveries of international humanitarian assistance from Damascus and stop blocking commercial routes to the encampment immediately in order avert further suffering.

April 25, 2019

Readout of Gen Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr.’s Official Visit to Bahrain

"Gen Frank McKenzie, in his first official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain as Commander, U.S. Central Command, was received by HRH Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Kalifa at Gudaibiya Palace. Gen McKenzie also met with HE Field Marshal Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa at the Bahrain Defense Force Headquarters. During the meetings they discussed items of mutual interest including enhanced maritime and security cooperation. Gen McKenzie reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to our bilateral relationship with the Kingdom of Bahrain as well as regional security and stability."

March 23, 2019

Statement from Gen. Joseph Votel on liberating the last territory held by Daesh

"U.S. Central Command congratulates the Syrian Democratic Forces for leading the final battle in eliminating the so-called caliphate. The meticulous approach to the campaign was a multi-year effort conducted in a complex environment led by our Iraqi and Syrian partners, and supported by the U.S.-led multi-national Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. We and our Coalition partners salute the heroic sacrifices of the men and women who fought together against Daesh, and we mourn the losses of the innocent civilians caught in the midst of their reign of terror. While our collective efforts liberated more than seven million civilians from Daesh’s brutality, we recognize the fight is not over. We remain committed to continuing our efforts to pursue and destroy remnants of Daesh, which are attempting to live on as an insurgency. We will continue our collective fight to bring about the enduring defeat of ISIS."

March 19, 2019

U.S./Coalition mission in At Tanf remains unchanged; Displaced persons at Rukban, Syria freedom of movement is unrestricted

"The U.S. continues to maintain a presence in the At Tanf deconfliction zone as a part of our efforts to secure the lasting defeat of ISIS. This deconfliction zone was established in accordance with an understanding between the United States and Russian Federation to deconflict our efforts to defeat ISIS and reduce the possibility of misunderstanding, miscalculation, or unintended conflict with Syrian, Russian or other forces operating in the area.