A B-1 bomber earlier this week destroyed a weapons storage facility utilized by al Qaeda forces near Haram, Syria, announced US Central Command. It was the most recent wave of airstrikes on targets associated with the veteran Islamist operatives since the beginning of the US-led air campaign in Syria in September. Briefing reporters on Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said the B-1B struck the weapons facility operated by the so-called Khorasan Group with several precision guided munitions, taking out the building. “We believe the strike was a success,” he said, adding that the United States carried out the attack because the terrorists were restocking the site with materiel and weapons after having suffered losses elsewhere. “We know [the strikes] are having an effect. That doesn’t mean we are calling mission accomplished,” said Kirby. He said the United States would continue to pressure the group. (Kirby transcript)
President Donald Trump on July 4 signed into law $150 billion in defense funds as part of the tax-and-spending package known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” after congressional Republicans approved the legislation in narrow, drawn-out votes earlier this week.
