Operation Hawk’s Eye: US forces fire more than 100 bombs and missiles at ISIS positions in Syria
US President Donald Trump said Friday that the Islamic State group is facing a very harsh retaliation in Syria by US forces, following an attack in Palmyra that killed three Americans.
Shortly after the Pentagon announced the launch of a military operation in Syria, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “To declare here that the United States is responding very harshly, as promised, against the murderous terrorists responsible” for the attack, adding, “We’re striking very hard against ISIS strongholds in Syria”.
The US Central Command said that it fired more than 100 bombs and precision missiles in Operation “Hawk’s Eye” in intensive strikes against ISIS in Syria, in response to the attack that targeted US forces in Palmyra a few days ago.
The Central Command confirmed that female fighters from the Jordanian Armed Forces took part in the operation, along with US fighter jets, attack helicopters and heavy artillery, in a joint offensive to undermine ISIS’s logistical and military capabilities.
“The strikes targeted more than 70 locations in different areas of central Syria, including weapons depots, command headquarters and infrastructure used to carry out terrorist operations,” it said in a statement.
“These strikes are intended to prevent ISIS from planning attacks against the United States and its allies,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, stressing that “the pursuit will continue unabated against all those who threaten the lives of Americans and coalition forces”.
The international coalition launched a series of airstrikes targeting ISIS sites in various areas of eastern Syria, most notably the Maadan desert in the countryside of Raqqa, the desert of al Hammad in the countryside of Deir Ezzor, in addition to Jabal al Amour.
The strikes focused on weapons storage sites and headquarters used as launching pads for the group’s operations in the area.
The raids were later renewed on ISIS positions in the Deir Ezzor desert, where strong explosions were heard in the city and its countryside.
Intensive flights of warplanes and reconnaissance planes were also observed in the skies over the desert area of Homs countryside, in an indication of the continuation of the military campaign against the group’s cells active deep in the desert.
This came after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegsey announced on Friday the launch of a military operation against ISIS in Syria in response to an attack in Palmyra that killed three Americans.
“US forces have begun Operation Hawk’s Eye in Syria to eliminate Islamic State fighters, infrastructure and weapons storage sites, in direct response to the December 13th attack on US forces,” Hegseth said in a post on X.
“This isn’t the beginning of the war – it’s a declaration of revenge… The United States of America, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, will never waver in defending our people”.
A statement from US Central Command also reads: “US forces have begun a large-scale strike against ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites in Syria”.
“This massive strike follows the attack on the United States and partner forces in Syria on December 13,” the statement added, and the statement stressed that “we will provide additional information soon”.
The Pentagon announced last Saturday that two US soldiers and a civilian translator were killed during an operation against ISIS in the Syrian city of Palmyra, in addition to the wounding of three others.
The US Central Command confirmed that this was the result of an ambush set up by an ISIS gunman in Syria, and he was engaged and eliminated.
For its part, the Syrian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement on Saturday that Damascus affirms its unwavering commitment to fighting ISIS and ensuring that there are no safe havens for it in Syrian territory.
A statement published by the Syrian Foreign Ministry on X said: “The Syrian Arab Republic extends its sincere condolences to the families of the Syrian and American security personnel victims who were killed in the terrorist attacks that took place in Palmyra and northern Syria last week”.
“This loss highlights the need to strengthen international cooperation to combat terrorism,” the statement said.
The statement also reiterated Syria’s unwavering commitment to combating ISIS and ensuring that it has no safe havens on Syrian territory… It will continue to intensify military operations against the group in all areas it threats.
“The Syrian Arab Republic calls on the United States and member states of the international coalition to join in supporting the republic’s efforts in combating terrorism, in a way that contributes to the protection of civilians and the restoration of security and stability in the region,” the statement concluded.
