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)
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.