The United States ramped up its military presence in Syria on Friday with a significant wave of airstrikes targeting ISIS positions.
The White House confirmed the operation, marking a forceful response following the recent killing of two American soldiers and an interpreter during a terrorist ambush in central Syria.
Over 70 ISIS Targets Hit
According to U.S. officials, more than 70 ISIS-linked sites were struck, including weapons storage facilities and key infrastructure.
The offensive involved a combination of F-15E Strike Eagles, A-10C Thunderbolts, Army helicopters, and artillery rocket systems.
While authorities confirmed “numerous” militants were killed, full casualty figures were not immediately available.
Trump Declares Retaliation
President Trump addressed the attacks on Truth Social, describing them as serious retaliation for the deaths of U.S. personnel.
“Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria… I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation,” he wrote.
The president’s post emphasized a strong message to terrorists threatening the United States.
Operation Hawkeye Strike
The air campaign has been dubbed “Operation Hawkeye Strike” by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who called the operation a “declaration of vengeance.”
Hegseth also highlighted that military action targeted not just fighters, but facilities that supported ISIS operations.
“Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue,” he added.
Explosions Heard Across Syria
Social media users across Syria reported hearing explosions from multiple regions, including Palmyra, Deir Ezzor, and the Eastern Raqqa desert.
Jordanian and Syrian armed forces reportedly assisted U.S. forces in the operation, which included coordinated air and artillery strikes.
Remembering the Fallen
The two American soldiers who were killed last weekend were the first U.S. combat deaths in Syria since Bashar al-Assad was removed from power.
They were identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, from Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, from Marshalltown, Iowa.
Their deaths came while assisting operations against ISIS near Palmyra.
A Stepped-Up Military Presence
While the United States maintains roughly 1,000 troops in Syria — about half the number deployed earlier this year — Friday’s strikes represent a significant escalation in military action.
Officials noted that the attacks build on ground raids earlier in the week that captured or eliminated two dozen suspected ISIS operatives in Iraq and Syria.
Political Reactions
Although President Trump framed the airstrikes as a firm response to terrorism, some Democrats and liberal commentators speculated that the timing of the operation may have coincided with the Justice Department’s release of Epstein-related files, raising questions about political motives.
Regional Cooperation and Support
Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who recently visited the White House—the first Syrian head of state to do so since 1946—reportedly supported the strikes.
Trump emphasized that terrorists targeting the United States would “be hit harder than you have ever been hit before.”
What Comes Next?
As the U.S. continues its military campaign in Syria, the focus will remain on dismantling ISIS infrastructure while monitoring the broader geopolitical implications of an escalated presence in the region.
Coordination with regional allies like Jordan and Syria will likely play a key role in ongoing operations.
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