US launches large-scale strikes against IS targets in Syria

The United States has carried out what it called “large-scale strikes” against ISIS in Syria, US Central Command announced Saturday afternoon.

The strikes, carried out around 12:30 p.m. ET, were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which the Pentagon said was ordered by President Donald Trump on December 19 in response to an ISIS ambush near Palmyra on December 13. That attack killed two U.S. soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter, U.S. officials said.

The army in December launched strikes against the infrastructure and weapons of the Islamic State group.

CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins told NBC News that more than 35 targets were hit during Saturday’s operation. More than 90 precision munitions were fired and more than 20 aircraft were involved.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted about strikes on X, saying, “We will never forget and never give in.” »

The military said the strikes targeted ISIS “as part of our ongoing commitment to eradicate Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect U.S. and partner forces in the region.”

“Our message remains strong: if you harm our fighters, we will find and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to escape justice,” the CENTCOM statement said.

Three other U.S. personnel were injured in the December ambush, prompting Trump to vow retaliation, calling it an “ISIS attack on the United States.” The Defense Ministry said the incident occurred during a counterterrorism engagement.

Trump announced strikes against Syria the following week, saying the United States was “inflicting very serious retaliation.” NBC News previously reported, according to two US officials, that the strikes were expected to last several weeks or even a month.

Hegseth said in December that the operation was not “the start of a war – it is a declaration of revenge”.