ISTANBUL

Syria reaffirmed its commitment to combating the ISIS (Daesh) terror group and preventing the use of its territory as a safe haven for the extremists, the Foreign Ministry said early Saturday, following US strikes targeting the terrorist organization's positions in the country.

In a statement through US social media company X, the ministry said Syria would continue to intensify military operations against ISIS in all areas where the group poses a threat.

The statement called on the US and other members of the US-led international coalition to support Syria’s counterterrorism efforts, saying such cooperation would help protect civilians and restore security and stability in the country and the wider region.

The exact location, number of casualties, or other operational details of the American strike have not been disclosed.

The comments came hours after the US launched a military operation in Syria in retaliation for a deadly Dec. 13 attack on American forces near the central Syrian city of Palmyra.