US launches retaliatory strike against ISIS in Syria over death of two soldiers, interpreter
The United States has launched a massive strike against the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria, hitting over 70 targets. The strike was a retaliatory response to a deadly attack on American forces by ISIS on December 13, which led to the death of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter.
The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth in a statement via his X handle on Friday wrote: “Earlier today, US forces commenced Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites, in direct response to the attack on US forces that occurred on December 13 in Palmyra, Syria.”
“This is not a beginning of war, it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people,” the statement added.
Speaking in North Carolina, the US President Donald Trump described the strike as successful and flawless. “We hit them hard. I ordered a massive strike on the terrorists that killed our three great patriots last week, two soldiers, one interpreter, all great people. And it was very successful. It was precision. We hit every site flawlessly and we are restoring peace through strength all over the world,” Trump said.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) responsible for American military operations in the Middle East, north-east Africa, central and southern Asia, said in a statement on X that Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched at 16:00 Eastern Time (21:00 GMT) on Friday.
CENTCOM said fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery “struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria” in coordination with aircraft from Jordan, employing “more than 100 precision munitions” to target known IS infrastructure and weapons sites.
Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTOM commander, said that the US “will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region”.
The head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) Rami Abdel Rahman, said that “at least five members of the Islamic State group were killed” in eastern Syria, including the leader of a drones cell.
Jordan’s news agency Petra, stated that the Royal Jordanian Air Force had participated in the strikes to “prevent extremist groups” from “threatening the security of Syria’s neighbours and the wider region”.
CENTCOM had earlier said that the deadly attack in Palmyra was carried out by an IS gunman, who was “engaged and killed”.
Three US soldiers were also injured in the ambush which occurred “in an area where the Syrian President does not have control,” according to a Pentagon official.
The SOHR said the attacker was a member of the Syrian security forces, although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, while the identity of the gunman was yet to be released.
