Syria – live: US troops to stay in Syria as Israel launches more than 350 strikes against military assets
Israel says it has launched more than 350 airstrikes against military facilities across Syria, destroying the Syrian navy and targeting weapons stockpiles and strategic infrastructure.
The Israeli military said they carried out the strikes over the last 48 hours, hitting weapons production sites in the cities of Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia and Palmyra. The targets also included airfields, anti-aircraft batteries, drones, aircraft and tanks.
The update from Israel came as a US official said American troops will remain in Syria to take on Isis militants despite the ongoing crisis following the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad.
US troops “have been there now for the better part of a decade or more to fight Isis… we are still committed to that mission,” said US deputy national security adviser Jon Finer.
Meanwhile, Mohammed al-Bashir – a figure little known across most of Syria who previously ran an administration in a small pocket of the northwest controlled by rebels – has been appointed interim prime minister. In a brief address on state television, he said he would lead Syria’s interim authority until 1 March, with the backing of the rebel coalition that toppled president Bashar al-Assad three days ago.
