Sept. 15, 2023

Statement Attributable to Michael T. Lawhorn, CENTCOM spokesperson

“In November 2021, U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) completed its investigation into the August 26, 2021 terrorist attack at Abbey Gate. The tragic bombing claimed the lives of 13 American heroes and more than 170 innocent Afghan civilians. The ARCENT-led investigation reviewed thousands of pages of documents and obtained information from more than 130 witnesses. Since the completion of that investigation, some service members have publicly testified about their experiences at Abbey Gate and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

May 28, 2023

Eagle Resolve 23 Exercise with Saudi Arabia

Today, U.S. Central Command, Saudi Armed Forces, and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partner nations begin exercise Eagle Resolve 23 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This exercise strengthens collective U.S.-Saudi and GCC readiness and improves the interoperability of the forces, contributing to regional stability.

April 27, 2023

Statement from General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, Commander of U.S. Central Command, on seizure of a Merchant Vessel in the Gulf of Oman

"The illegal seizure of a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in international waters in the Gulf of Oman by the Iranian Navy is another in a continuing series of violations of Iran of the international rules-based order. This kind of harassing activity is commensurate with an established pattern of Iranian behavior that places the security and stability of the Middle East at risk."

Feb. 16, 2023

Statement from CENTCOM Commander, General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, on the repatriation of 59 women and children from Syrian conflict zones to Kyrgyzstan

"We are grateful to the leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic for working to resolve the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the dismantling of the so-called ISIS caliphate. The only long-term solution to this crisis remains the successful repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of residents back to their countries of origin. In concert with our regional partners, CENTCOM will continue to support theses repatriation efforts using resources such as aircraft."

Nov. 20, 2022

Statement regarding Iranian strikes near Erbil, Iraq

Statement from General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, U.S. CENTCOM commander: “We condemn this evening’s Iranian cross-border missile and unmanned aerial vehicle strikes near Erbil, Iraq. Such indiscriminate and illegal attacks place civilians at risk, violate Iraqi sovereignty, and jeopardize the hard-fought security and stability of Iraq and the Middle East.”

Sept. 28, 2022

Statement regarding Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ unprovoked attack in Iraq’s Erbil Governorate

TAMPA, Fla. — “US Central Command condemns the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ unprovoked attack in Iraq’s Erbil Governorate this morning. Such indiscriminate attacks threaten innocent civilians and risk the hard-fought stability of the region. “No US forces were wounded or killed as a result of the strikes and there is no damage to US equipment.

Sept. 22, 2022

U.S. Central Command statement on Thwarted Suicide Bomber Attack near Um Fakik Village, Syria

TAMPA, Fla. — Statement from Colonel Joe Buccino, CENTCOM communications director: "At approximately 12:25 am on Sept. 20th, seven ISIS fighters in two vehicles headed in the direction of the Internally Displaced Persons camp at al-Hol were interdicted by U.S. partnered Syrian Democratic Forces.

Sept. 18, 2022

Statement regarding Syrian Democratic Forces security operation in al-Hol camp

TAMPA, Fla. - Yesterday, our Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) partners completed a security operation in the al-Hol displaced persons camp in northeastern Syria which began on August 25th to eradicate the camp’s ISIS facilitation networks.

Sept. 15, 2022

Readout: CENTCOM Commander’s participation in IDF Innovation Conference, September 14 and 15

Colonel Joe Buccino, CENTCOM Communications Director: “Over the past two days, General Michael ‘Erik’ Kurilla participated in the International Israeli Defense Forces Operational Innovation Conference in Camp Dayan and the Tze’elim Israeli Defense Force Base. A total of 22 nations, 7 Chiefs of General Staff, the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and more than 2,000 Soldiers and civilians participated in the conference.

Sept. 14, 2022

Readout from CENTCOM Commander’s Visit to the Israeli border of the Gaza Strip on Sept. 13

TAMPA, Fla. From Colonel Joe Buccino, CENTCOM Spokesman: “Yesterday, General Michael ‘Erik’ Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited the Israeli border of the Gaza Strip. There, he met with leaders from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Southern Command and Gaza Division, the IDF forces charged with protecting communities near the Gaza border.