Statements

Sept. 8, 2022

Statement regarding CENTCOM support and USAID aid to Pakistan

United States Central Command is transporting humanitarian commodities from USAID's warehouse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Pakistan to meet the immediate needs of people affected by the floods. C-17 Globemaster cargo aircraft will transport the supplies over the course of the coming days on approximately 20 different flights.

Sept. 7, 2022

Statement regarding Syrian Democratic Forces conducting security operations in al-Hol camp

Statement from Colonel Joe Buccino, CENTCOM communications director: For the past two weeks, Syrian Democratic Forces have been conducting security operations in al-Hol displaced persons camp, resulting in the arrest of dozens of ISIS operatives and the dissolution of a major ISIS facilitation network both within the camp and throughout Syria. Additionally, the SDF liberated four women in the camp who were found in tunnels, chained and tortured by ISIS supporters on September 5th, 2022.

Aug. 30, 2022

Statement regarding the one-year anniversary of the end of the war in Afghanistan

Today, the one-year anniversary of the end of the war in Afghanistan, we honor all those who bore the burden of America's longest war. That burden was carried by more than 775,000 American troops who deployed to fight in Afghanistan over the course of two decades. 2,461 were killed in that war. More than 20,000 were injured.

Aug. 25, 2022

Readout of U.S. Central Command Commander General Michael "Erik" Kurilla's meeting with Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz

TAMPA, Fla. — On Thursday, August 25, CENTCOM commander General Michael "Erik" Kurilla met with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz at the U.S. Central Command Headquarters to discuss security issues of mutual interest.

Aug. 23, 2022

Statement Regarding Precision Strikes in Syria

Attributable to Colonel Joe Buccino, USCENTCOM Communication Director: TAMPA, Fla. - “At President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted precision airstrikes in Deir ez-Zor Syria today. These precision strikes are intended to defend and protect U.S. forces from attacks like the ones on August 15 against U.S. personnel by Iran-backed groups. The U.S. strikes targeted infrastructure facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

PHOTO: U.S. General Michael "Erik" Krill meets with Pakistan General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the Pakistan Army General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Aug. 20, 2022

Readout of U.S. Central Command Commander General Michael "Erik" Kurilla's meeting with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa

On Thursday, August 18, CENTCOM commander General Michael "Erik" Kurilla met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the Pakistan Army General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan to discuss security issues of mutual interest.

Photo of U.S. General Erik Kurilla and United Arab Emirates Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammed Thani al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, in Abu Dhabi.

Aug. 16, 2022

Readout of U.S. Central Command Commander General Michael "Erik" Kurilla's Meeting With United Arab Emirates Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi

On August 15th, General Michael “Erik” Kurilla met with Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, in Abu Dhabi.

Kuwait Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Sheikh Khaled Saleh Al-Sabah meets the Commander of United States Central Command Michael Kurilla.

July 20, 2022

Statement from Gen. Erik Kurilla after meeting with Kuwaiti military leadership

Statement made by General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, following his meetings with Kuwait Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Sheikh Khaled Saleh Al-Sabah, his staff and subordinate commanders at the headquarters of the Kuwaiti Army General Staff in Kuwait City, Kuwait, July 19.

General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, visited Israel today to meet with Israeli Defense Force (IDF) leadership, to include the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt General Aviv Kohavi. “During my visit to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, I met with Israeli Defense Forces leadership to discuss the importance of an integrated air and missile defense system, as well as the continued need for strong regional security cooperation. “As President Biden said earlier this week in Israel, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin echoed, the United States’ commitment to Israel remains ironclad. “Regional security remains paramount for both CENTCOM and the IDF.”

July 17, 2022

READOUT: U.S. CENTCOM Commander visited Israel today to meet with Israeli Defense Force (IDF) leadership

General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, visited Israel today to meet with Israeli Defense Force (IDF) leadership, to include the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt General Aviv Kohavi.

General Kurilla with His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Oman Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs, Muscat, Oman, June 19, 2022

June 19, 2022

READOUT: U.S. CENTCOM Commander meets with Omani leadership to discuss security cooperation on June 19th, 2022

MUSCAT, Oman — General Michael “Erik” Kurilla met with: His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs General Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Numani, Minister of the Royal Office Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Ali Al-Za’abi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense Vice Admiral Abdullah Khamis Al Ra’eesi, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces; and Other senior Omani leaders.