US Carries Out ‘Massive’ Strike Against IS in Syria
The United States has launched a massive strike against the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria, a direct response to a deadly ambush on American forces.
Operation Overview
– The US Central Command (Centcom) reported that fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery targeted over 70 locations across central Syria.
– Aircraft from Jordan also supported the operation, which utilized more than 100 precision munitions aimed at identified IS infrastructure and weapon sites.
– This operation, termed Operation Hawkeye Strike, commenced at 16:00 Eastern Time (21:00 GMT) on Friday.
Response to Recent Attacks
President Donald Trump underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, We hit every site flawlessly. This military action comes after an IS ambush in Palmyra on December 13, where two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed.
Centcom’s commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, emphasized that the US will relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region.
Casualties and Intelligence
– Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), indicated that at least five IS members were killed in Deir ez Zor province, including a cell leader linked to drone operations.
– The Royal Jordanian Air Force joined the strikes, aiming to thwart extremist groups threatening regional security.
IS has yet to publicly comment on the strikes. The BBC has been unable to verify the specifics of the targets hit during the operation.
Statements from US Officials
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the operation as not the beginning of a war – it is a declaration of vengeance. He added, If you target Americans – anywhere in the world – you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.
Ongoing Threat Landscape
The two soldiers killed in the Palmyra attack were identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29. President Trump posted on Truth Social, affirming that the US is inflicting very serious retaliation on those responsible.
– The attack was executed by an IS gunman, who was later neutralized.
– Three additional US soldiers suffered injuries, with reports indicating the ambush occurred in an area outside the Syrian government’s control.
– Some sources, including SOHR, claim the assailant was affiliated with the Syrian security forces.
Background Context
Since the US-backed alliance of Syrian fighters declared the end of IS’s territorial control in 2019, the group has continued to launch sporadic attacks. The United Nations estimates that IS still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
US troops have maintained a presence in Syria since 2015, assisting in training local forces as part of the broader campaign against IS. Recently, Syria has sought to join an international coalition to combat IS and expressed willingness to cooperate with the US.
Significantly, in November, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist leader, met with Trump, proposing a new era for US-Syrian relations.
In summary, the recent massive strike against IS in Syria represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict against terrorism, reflecting the US’s commitment to pursuing those who threaten its forces and allies.