The US and Jordanian forces have jointly launched a major military operation against the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist organization in Syria. Under ‘Operation Hawkeye Strike’, both countries carried out airstrikes on more than 70 ISIS targets and used more than 100 precision-guided weapons. This information was given by the US Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM issued a statement on the social media platform X and said that this operation continued throughout the night and it was described as a message of “Peace through Strength”. Video footage of the attacks has also been released.
This operation comes just days after suspected ISIS militants attacked a convoy carrying US and Syrian forces in the Syrian city of Palmyra, killing two US soldiers. US President Donald Trump clarified that these airstrikes were in direct retaliation for the killing of US soldiers. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Operation Hawkeye aims to completely eliminate ISIS fighters, their infrastructure, and weapons bases.
Hegseth bluntly warned, “This is not the start of a war, but a declaration of revenge. America will hunt down and destroy anyone who targets Americans anywhere in the world.” President Trump also stated on Truth Social that ISIS would face a harsher response than ever before and that its strongholds in Syria would be destroyed. The US soldiers killed in the December 13 attack have been identified as Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres Tovar (25) and Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard (29). Both were associated with the Iowa National Guard. Three other soldiers were also injured in the attack and have been evacuated for treatment. Following this US action, tensions are feared to escalate further in Syria and the entire Middle East.