In Response to the Palmyra Attack.. Pentagon Announces Launch of Operation Against ISIS in Syria
U.S. forces launched strikes on ISIS targets in Syria in response to the Palmyra attack.
SUMMARY
U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on ISIS locations in Syria in an operation named 'Eagle Strike' in response to an attack in Palmyra that killed three Americans. The operation targeted over 70 sites using precision munitions, and U.S. Central Command confirmed ongoing efforts to pursue terrorists in the region.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- U.S. forces launched airstrikes on ISIS sites in Syria.
- President Trump described the operation as a very harsh retaliatory response.
- The operation targeted over 70 sites using precision munitions.
- U.S. Central Command confirmed the killing or arrest of 23 terrorists in simultaneous operations.
CORE SUBJECT
U.S. military operation against ISIS in Syria
Yesterday, Friday, U.S. forces launched strikes on dozens of ISIS targets in Syria, which U.S. President Donald Trump described as a "very harsh retaliatory response" to the Palmyra city attack that resulted in the deaths of three Americans last weekend.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in a post on the X platform, "U.S. forces have begun Operation 'Eagle Strike' in Syria to eliminate fighters, infrastructure, and weapons storage sites of ISIS."
He added that the operation is "a direct response to the attack targeting U.S. forces on December 13."
Shortly after the Pentagon's announcement, Trump described the operation in a post on his social network Truth Social as a "very harsh retaliatory response," adding, "We are delivering very strong strikes against ISIS strongholds in Syria."
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced in a statement that fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery struck more than 70 targets across central Syria on Friday.
It added that "the operation used more than 100 precision munitions targeting known ISIS infrastructure sites and weapons caches."
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper confirmed, "We will relentlessly continue to pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners throughout the region."
CENTCOM noted that U.S. and coalition forces "carried out 10 operations in Syria and Iraq resulting in the killing or arrest of 23 terrorist elements" following the Palmyra attack, without specifying the groups to which the militants belonged.
A Syrian security source told AFP that airstrikes were carried out in the Badia region near the city of Homs and in rural areas near Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa.
KEYWORDS
MENTIONED ENTITIES 8
Donald Trump
👤 Person_MaleU.S. President
Pete Hegseth
👤 Person_MaleU.S. Secretary of Defense
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
🏛️ OrganizationU.S. military command responsible for operations in the Middle East
Brad Cooper
👤 Person_MaleCommander of U.S. Central Command
Palmyra
📍 Location_CityCity in Syria that witnessed an attack resulting in American deaths
Homs
📍 Location_CitySyrian city in the Badia region where airstrikes were conducted
Deir ez-Zor
📍 Location_CityRural area in Syria targeted by airstrikes
Raqqa
📍 Location_CityRural area in Syria targeted by airstrikes
NOTABLE QUOTES 3
"U.S. forces have begun Operation 'Eagle Strike' in Syria to eliminate fighters, infrastructure, and weapons storage sites of ISIS."
Context: Statement by U.S. Secretary of Defense on the X platform
"We will relentlessly continue to pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners throughout the region."
Context: Statement by Commander of U.S. Central Command
"Very harsh retaliatory response"
Context: Description of the operation by the U.S. President on his social network Truth Social