Anna Hartz
US troops operate in dangerous parts of the Middle East where attacks can happen without warning.
In Syria, American forces work alongside partners to prevent extremist groups from rebuilding their strength. These missions often stay out of the public eye until violence forces them into focus. A deadly attack in December did exactly that.
Deadly Ambush
The US military has launched a large strike against Islamic State targets in Syria, reports Digi24. The operation followed an ambush on December 13 in the city of Palmyra. Two US soldiers and an American civilian interpreter were killed in that attack. Three other US troops were wounded.
US Central Command said the response involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery. More than 70 targets were hit in central Syria. The strikes used over 100 precision-guided weapons. Some aircraft from Jordan also took part.
The military said the targets included Islamic State bases, weapons depots, and other known facilities. The operation was named Hawkeye Strike. It began on Friday at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
President Donald Trump said the United States was striking hard against those responsible. He said the response matched earlier promises to retaliate. Trump also said the Syrian government supported the action.
Strikes of Revenge
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used strong language when speaking about the mission. He said the strikes were not the start of a new war. He described them as an act of revenge. He warned that anyone who attacks Americans will be hunted down and killed.
Islamic State positions near Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor were among the targets, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The group said a senior IS leader and several fighters were killed. These claims could not be independently confirmed.
Islamic State has not made a public statement about the strikes. US officials say the attacker in Palmyra was an IS militant who was killed during the incident. A Pentagon official said the attack happened in an area not controlled by the Syrian government.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights offered a different account. It claimed the attacker was part of Syrian security forces. No group has claimed responsibility so far. The attacker’s identity remains unknown.
US officials say operations against Islamic State will continue. Military leaders insist the goal is to protect American lives and prevent the group from regaining ground in the region.
Sources: Digi24
