US military forces launched a vigorous response against the Islamic State group on Friday, targeting over 70 positions in Syria. This action came in the wake of a tragic attack on December 13 in Palmyra, where a gunman from the militant group killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The assault has been characterized by President Donald Trump as a necessary and serious retaliation against those responsible.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the military operation involved a combination of fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery. The strikes were described as highly coordinated, with more than 100 precision munitions aimed at identifiable ISIS infrastructure and weaponry across multiple sites in central Syria.
President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to affirm the retaliatory nature of the strikes, emphasizing the United States’ commitment to punishing those who commit acts of violence against Americans. He stated that attackers would face severe consequences, asserting, “WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE.”
CENTCOM reported that since the Palmyra incident, US and allied forces have conducted 10 operations in Syria and Iraq, leading to the deaths or capture of 23 individuals linked to various terrorist groups. However, the specific affiliations of these militants were not disclosed.
Syria’s foreign ministry issued a statement reaffirming its dedication to combating the Islamic State, asserting its resolve to eradicate any safe havens for the group on Syrian soil. The ministry’s statement also indicated that military operations would intensify wherever ISIS poses a threat.
The three Americans lost in the recent attack included Iowa National Guard sergeants William Howard and Edgar Torres Tovar, alongside Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a civilian interpreter from Michigan. In a recent ceremony, several US officials, including Trump, expressed their condolences and honored the memory of the fallen service members.
The Palmyra attack marked a significant and alarming incident since the widespread defeat of ISIS in the region. Syeda’s interior ministry spokesperson revealed that the gunman was a member of security forces who was reportedly set to be dismissed due to his extremist ideologies.
The targeted US personnel were serving in Operation Inherent Resolve, an international coalition effort aimed at dismantling ISIS, which had previously seized a substantial amount of territory across Syria and Iraq in 2014. Despite the efforts to eliminate ISIS, the group continues to maintain a foothold in the region, particularly in the expansive desert.
Trump’s administration has historically been cautious regarding the ongoing military presence in Syria. During his first term, he ordered reductions in troop levels, yet ultimately concluded that some forces would remain. Recently, the Pentagon announced plans to cut the US military presence in Syria by half, with intentions to consolidate operations to a single base in the future. Currently, American troops are stationed primarily in the northeastern Kurdish-controlled regions and at Al-Tanf, near Jordan’s border.
