US Launches Major Retaliatory Strikes on ISIL in Syria Following Death of American Soldiers
US launches major strikes on ISIL in Syria after deaths of two soldiers and an interpreter, targeting fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites.
US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after returning from a ceremony honoring US soldiers killed in Syria, following military retaliation.
The United States has conducted large-scale military strikes against ISIL (ISIS) strongholds in Syria, President Donald Trump announced, a week after two US soldiers and an interpreter were killed in Palmyra.
“Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria… I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible,” Trump said on Truth Social.
Details of the Operation
The military campaign, named Operation Hawkeye Strike, targeted ISIL fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites across central Syria. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during the operation stated that it was “a declaration of vengeance,” adding that the offensive would continue and that “lots” of enemy combatants had been killed.
CENTCOM verified that US forces used fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery, with more than 100 precision munitions being dropped on the positions of ISIL. Reportedly, the Jordanian military was involved in these attacks and was providing fighter jets as support. The exact number of casualties has not been announced.
Collaboration with Syrian Government
The Syrian government, which is now under the command of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa after the exit of Bashar al-Assad in 2024, gave a positive reaction to the US attacks.Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its commitment to fighting ISIL and urged coalition forces to help eliminate terrorist safe havens.
Al Jazeera reports indicate that while it is unclear whether Syrian defense forces directly participated, the US sees the operation as essential for stabilizing the new Syrian government and countering ISIL threats to civilians and military personnel.
Background
An attacker connected to ISIL opened fire last weekend upon the convoy of the American and Syrian forces in Palmyra, resulting in the death of two members of the National Guard and one civilian interpreter, as well as in the wounding of three other American soldiers. The perpetrator was killed on the spot.
At the moment, there are approximately 1,000 US soldiers stationed in Syria as part of the ongoing fight against ISIL. The airstrikes conducted by the US-led coalition along with the operations with the Syrian security forces have significantly increased in frequency recently to avoid any further attacks.
The announcement by Trump and the military operation of considerable scale are both clear signs of the US administration's determination to exact revenge for the deceased American personnel and to keep ISIL under pressure in Syria.
