The United States launched military strikes against multiple locations in Syria on Friday to “eliminate” Islamic State group fighters and weapons sites. President Donald Trump said his country was “inflicting very serious retaliation” for an ambush attack that killed three Americans last week — sounding a ‘warning’ for terrorists contemplating an attack. Reports citing US officials indicate that more strikes are expected in the coming days.
“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. 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. The Government of Syria, led by a man who is working very hard to bring Greatness back to Syria, and is fully in support. All terrorists who are evil enough to attack Americans are hereby warned — YOU WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE IF YOU, IN ANY WAY, ATTACK OR THREATEN THE U.S.A,” said President Donald Trump.
‘Declaration of vengeance’ says Hegseth
“Earlier today, US forces commenced Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on US. forces that occurred on December 13 in Palmyra. This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people,” said the Secretary of War.
Pete Hegseth also insisted that the strikes were not the start of a new war but a “declaration of vengeance”. He reiterated that the United States would “never hesitate and never relent to defend our people” under President Donald Trump. The remarks came even as the POTUS warned via Truth Social that terrorists would be ‘hit harder than they have ever been’.
“As we said directly following the savage attack, 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. Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue,” he reiterated.
More strikes expected?
US officials told AP that the “a large-scale” strike had hit 70 targets in areas across central Syria that had IS infrastructure and weapons. The attack was conducted using F-15 Eagle jets, A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters. F-16 fighter jets from Jordan and HIMARS rocket artillery were also used. One official told the publication that additional strikes should be expected.
The attack last week was a major test for the warming ties between the United States and Syria since the ouster of autocratic leader Bashar Assad a year ago. Trump has stressed that Syria was fighting alongside US troops and said al-Sharaa was “extremely angry and disturbed by this attack,” which came as the US military is expanding its cooperation with Syrian security forces.
Syria’s foreign ministry in a statement on X following the launch of US strikes said that last week’s attack “underscores the urgent necessity of strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms” and that Syria is committed “to fighting ISIS and ensuring that it has no safe havens on Syrian territory and will continue to intensify military operations against it wherever it poses a threat.”
