Eagle Eye: Details of the US Raids on ISIS in Syria and Key Statements (Video)

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that US forces have launched an operation in Syria "to eliminate ISIS fighters, destroy their infrastructure, and their weapons sites." Hegseth added via the platform "X" (formerly Twitter) that the operation was "a direct response to the attack targeting US forces on December 13 in Palmyra." He continued: "This is not the start of a war, but a declaration of retaliation, and the United States, led by President Donald Trump, will not hesitate and will never back down from defending its people." He added: "As we said immediately after the brutal attack, if you target Americans - anywhere in the world - you will spend the rest of your short lives in constant fear, and you know that the United States will hunt you down, find you, and kill you mercilessly." He said: "Today, we hunted down our enemies and killed them. Many of them. And we will continue to do so." Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM), via the platform "X," stated that forces "are conducting a wide-scale strike against ISIS underground sites and weapons in Syria, following the attack targeting US and allied forces in Palmyra, Syria." CENTCOM released a video of the operation, accompanied by commentary: "Our forces deployed fighter jets, attack helicopters, and other means to carry out this wide-scale strike." Trump Reveals Results of the Strike Against ISIS Trump briefly referred to the strikes, saying, "We hit extremist ISIS elements in Syria who were trying to reorganize after their defeat by the Trump administration." The president added that he ordered a "wide-scale strike" on the terrorist organization, describing it as "very successful." He continued: "It was very precise. We hit every site with extreme accuracy, and we are restoring peace by force." It is noted that the US Army Central Command had published details about ISIS targets and the number hit in the strike, mentioning that Jordanian fighter jets assisted. First Statement from the Syrian Government After the Raids The Syrian government confirmed on Friday its "firm commitment to combating ISIS and ensuring there are no safe havens for it on Syrian territory," adding that it "will continue to intensify military operations against the organization in all threatened areas." According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Syrian government extended its "deep condolences to the families of the victims among Syrian and American security personnel killed in the terrorist attacks that occurred in Palmyra and northern Syria last week," and affirmed that this loss highlights the necessity to strengthen international cooperation to combat terrorism. The Syrian government called on the United States and the member states of the international coalition to "join in supporting its efforts to combat terrorism, contributing to protecting civilians and restoring security and stability in the region." The Trump administration had vowed to respond to ISIS following the attack, which resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The Syrian Interior Ministry said the perpetrator worked in the security apparatus. Syrian Observatory: US Strikes Target Sites East of Raqqa and West of Deir ez-Zor Result in Killing a Cell Leader The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that US airstrikes targeted ISIS sites in areas east of Raqqa and west of Deir ez-Zor, killing a prominent leader of the organization and several members of a cell responsible for attacks in Deir ez-Zor. On December 18, the Syrian Observatory confirmed the killing of an ISIS cell member and the injury of another, along with a woman and a 14-year-old minor, during an air assault carried out by the international coalition forces accompanied by ground troops in the town of Maadan (areas under the control of the Syrian Interim Government), after the forces entered from areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces. According to sources, intense gunfire exchange occurred during the raid on the house of a wanted individual between ISIS cell members and international coalition forces, resulting in the death of one ISIS cell member and injury and arrest of another, as well as the death of a woman believed to be the wife of the wanted man. The 14-year-old minor was killed by stray bullets. Sources confirmed that the General Security forces affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Interior did not participate directly in the operation but only secured and protected the perimeter of the landing zone. A wanted individual was killed and another arrested in an air assault carried out by international coalition forces in the village of Al-Mastaha near the town of Maadan in eastern Raqqa countryside. According to sources, the body and the injured detainee were transferred to US bases within areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces. Meanwhile, Australia expressed its support for the US strikes against ISIS in Syria. NBC quoted US officials saying the strikes are expected to continue for weeks or months. The Wall Street Journal quoted a US official saying that the Syrian foreign ministry statement means we can act in Syria against the organization. Israeli media reported that the US informed Israel before carrying out the strikes on ISIS in Syria. The White House spokeswoman said: "Under President Trump, whoever kills an American soldier will pay the price."