US Military Announces Striking More Than 70 ISIS Targets in Syria
US military announces striking more than 70 ISIS targets in Syria as part of Operation Eagle Eye.
SUMMARY
US Central Command announced a military operation against ISIS in Syria targeting over 70 sites, in response to an attack that killed three Americans in Palmyra. The operation included Jordanian support and used precision munitions to eliminate ISIS strongholds.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- US Central Command launches Operation Eagle Eye against ISIS in Syria.
- More than 70 targets struck using fighter jets, helicopters, and artillery.
- President Trump describes the operation as a very harsh retaliatory response to the Palmyra attack.
- US and coalition forces have conducted over 80 operations in six months.
CORE SUBJECT
US military operation against ISIS in Syria
US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Brad Cooper said in a statement: "We will relentlessly continue to pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners throughout the region."
US President Donald Trump described the operation as a "very harsh retaliatory response" to an attack that killed three Americans in Palmyra a few days ago.
Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social shortly after the Pentagon announced the launch of the military operation in Syria: "I hereby declare that the United States is carrying out a very harsh response, as promised, against the murderous terrorists responsible" for the attack.
The US president added: "We are delivering very strong strikes against ISIS strongholds in Syria."
A CENTCOM statement said, "Following the attack targeting US and partner forces last Saturday, US Central Command launched Operation Eagle Eye at 4 p.m. Eastern Time against ISIS in Syria on December 19, under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief."
The statement continued: "US forces targeted more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery."
It explained: "The Jordanian Armed Forces also provided support with fighter jets. The operation used more than 100 munitions for precision targeting of ISIS infrastructure sites and weapons depots."
Cooper said: "This operation is critical to preventing ISIS from planning terrorist attacks against the United States. We will relentlessly continue to pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners in the region."
After the December 13 attack on US and Syrian personnel in Palmyra, US forces and the international coalition conducted 10 operations in Syria and Iraq, resulting in the killing or capture of 23 terrorist elements, according to CENTCOM.
US Central Command stated that US and coalition forces have carried out more than 80 operations in Syria over the past six months, aiming to "eliminate terrorists who pose a direct threat to the United States and regional security," according to the US statement.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 6
Brad Cooper
👤 Person_MaleCommander of US Central Command (CENTCOM)
Donald Trump
👤 Person_MaleUS President
US Central Command
🏛️ OrganizationUS military command responsible for operations in the region
ISIS
🏛️ OrganizationTerrorist organization in Syria and Iraq
Jordanian Armed Forces
🏛️ OrganizationJordan's military forces that provided air support
Palmyra
📍 Location_CityCity in Syria where an attack killed three Americans
NOTABLE QUOTES 4
"We will relentlessly continue to pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners throughout the region."
Context: Statement by US Central Command Commander CENTCOM
"Very harsh retaliatory response"
Context: Description of the military operation in response to the Palmyra attack
"We are delivering very strong strikes against ISIS strongholds in Syria."
Context: Statement on Truth Social after announcing the military operation
"This operation is critical to preventing ISIS from planning terrorist attacks against the United States."
Context: Comment on the importance of the military operation