Washington states the strikes are an act of vengeance, not a declaration of war
The U.S. has conducted airstrikes against purported Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria, which President Donald Trump labeled as “very serious retaliation” for the deaths of American personnel earlier this month.
In a Friday statement, Trump noted the strikes were ordered in response to a December 13 attack near Palmyra that killed two U.S. servicemembers and a civilian interpreter.
“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. “We are striking very strongly against ISIS strongholds in Syria.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that U.S. forces had initiated Operation Hawkeye Strike, targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons locations. He emphasized the operation was punitive rather than the opening of a wider conflict.
CENTCOM forces launched fighter jets, attack helicopters and other assets to conduct the large-scale strike.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM)
“This is not the beginning of a war – it is a declaration of vengeance,” Hegseth said. “If you target Americans – anywhere in the world – you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.”
U.S. Central Command confirmed that American forces had “commenced a large-scale strike against ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites in Syria.” The operation utilized fighter jets, attack helicopters, and other military assets. The Pentagon has not yet disclosed details about the number of targets hit or casualties caused, noting that battle damage assessments are ongoing.
These strikes follow an ambush near Palmyra where a lone gunman opened fire on a joint patrol involving U.S. and Syrian government forces. The attacker was later killed, according to CENTCOM. Washington has blamed ISIS for the attack and warned that further assaults on American forces will be met with additional military action.
Trump stated the new Syrian government was aware of and supported the retaliatory strike, cautioning that any group threatening Americans would face overwhelming force.