On Friday, U.S. forces carried out a large‑scale strike against ISIS infrastructure in Syria, a response to a December 13 attack that killed three Americans.
Operation Hawkeye Strike
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on X that “Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria,” he said. The post noted that additional details about the strike and total casualties were not immediately available, but that “lots” of “enemies” were killed.
President Trump’s Retaliation Message
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that “Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible,” he wrote. Trump added, “We are striking very strongly against ISIS strongholds in Syria, a place soaked in blood which has many problems, but one that has a bright future if ISIS can be eradicated.”
Statements from White House and Pentagon
Anna Kelly, White House deputy press secretary, said Friday that “President Trump told the world that the United States would retaliate for the killing of our heroes by ISIS in Syria, and he is delivering on that promise.”
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, noted on X that three other U.S. personnel were wounded in the December 13 attack in Palmyra. He added that the soldiers “were conducting a key leader engagement” in “support of ongoing counter‑ISIS operations.”
Context of the Attack
The December 13 incident, which occurred during a counter‑terrorism engagement in Palmyra, resulted in the deaths of two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian U.S. interpreter. The Department of Defense confirmed that the attack was carried out by ISIS fighters.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. forces launched Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria on Friday.
- The strike was a direct response to an attack on December 13 that killed three Americans.
- President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth publicly announced retaliation.
The coordinated response underscores the United States’ commitment to countering ISIS threats in the region and reflects the immediate action taken after the loss of American personnel.
Closing
The Operation Hawkeye Strike represents a significant military engagement aimed at degrading ISIS capabilities in Syria. With the announcement from top U.S. officials, the strike signals a clear stance against the organization’s continued operations in the area.
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