Washington: The United States has launched a wide ranging military operation against Islamic State targets in Syria following the killing of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in a recent attack. The operation, known as Operation Hawkeye Strike, marks one of the largest US actions against ISIS in the country in recent months.
According to US defence officials, American forces carried out coordinated airstrikes on more than 70 ISIS locations across central and eastern Syria. The strikes targeted militant fighters, weapons depots, command centres, training camps and supply routes that US intelligence identified as active or critical to the group’s operations.
The military action was triggered by a deadly ambush near the ancient city of Palmyra earlier this month. In that incident, ISIS linked militants opened fire on a joint patrol, killing two US service members from the Iowa National Guard and a civilian interpreter who was supporting American forces. Several others were injured in the attack.
US officials said the operation was carefully planned and executed over several hours using fighter aircraft, attack helicopters and precision guided munitions. Aircraft including F 15 jets and A 10 attack planes were deployed, along with Apache helicopters, to strike multiple targets simultaneously and limit the ability of ISIS fighters to escape.
President Donald Trump said the strikes were a direct response to the attack on American personnel and were intended to demonstrate that such actions would face swift consequences. The White House said the operation was focused on retaliation and deterrence, not the start of a broader military escalation in Syria.
The Pentagon said early damage assessments indicate that the strikes caused significant disruption to ISIS networks and reduced the group’s ability to plan and carry out attacks. Officials added that efforts were made to avoid civilian casualties and that there were no immediate reports of harm to non combatants.
US military commanders noted that while ISIS no longer controls large territories as it once did, the group continues to operate in desert regions and remote areas. These pockets have allowed militants to regroup and carry out sporadic but deadly attacks against local forces and international troops.
Around 1,000 US troops remain stationed in Syria as part of an ongoing mission to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and support partner forces on the ground. American officials said these forces remain on high alert following the recent violence.
The latest operation underscores Washington’s continued commitment to counterterrorism in the Middle East, even as the United States faces multiple security challenges globally. US officials warned that further military action could follow if ISIS attempts additional attacks on American or allied personnel.