US Forces Attack Syrian Islamic State Targets
The US military has carried out extensive airstrikes on Islamic State positions in Syria in response to a lethal assault on American troops.
The US military, in collaboration with partner forces, has conducted extensive strikes on Islamic State (IS) group targets in Syria, according to US Central Command (Centcom).
Centcom reported that the operation took place on Saturday as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, in response to a lethal IS attack on US forces in Syria on December 13. The strikes were initiated by President Donald Trump as part of initiatives to address terrorism and safeguard US and allied personnel in the area.
Centcom reports that the operation included over 90 precision-guided munitions aimed at more than 35 targets, with the involvement of over 20 aircraft. According to US officials, the platforms utilized comprised F-15E fighter jets, A-10 attack aircraft, AC-130J gunships, MQ-9 drones, and Jordanian F-16s.
“Our message is clear: if you threaten our warfighters, we will locate you and eliminate you anywhere on the globe,” Centcom states in a declaration.
The specific locations of the strikes and any information regarding casualties have not been revealed.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth characterizes the action as an extension of Washington’s reaction to the December ambush near Palmyra, which resulted in the deaths of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter at the hands of IS gunmen.
“This does not mark the onset of a conflict. “It is a declaration of vengeance,” Hegseth states, emphasizing that the US will not hesitate to protect its personnel.
Centcom reports that before the recent strikes, US and partner forces had eliminated or apprehended nearly 25 IS members during various missions conducted from December 20 to December 29.
Syria continues to experience political instability after the downfall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, marking the conclusion of a 13-year civil war. Despite its diminished strength, the Islamic State remains active in certain regions of the country, especially focusing on Kurdish-led forces in the north-east.
