The strikes marked a response to a deadly Isis attack on American and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, last month
The US military has said it “conducted large-scale strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria”.
A statement from the US Central Command said the strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched by Donald Trump in response to the deadly Isis attack on American and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, last month.
“That ambush, carried out by an ISIS terrorist, resulted in the tragic deaths of two American soldiers and one U.S. civilian interpreter,” the US Central Command said on Saturday.
The statement claimed that Saturday’s strikes were part of the US military’s “commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region”.
It added: “U.S. and coalition forces remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States. Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice.”
Why did the US strike Isis in Syria?
Trump vowed the US would “retaliate” after the Isis attack on American troops and a civilian interpreter last month.
“There will be very serious retaliation,” he warned in a Truth Social post.
Three other service members were injured during the “ambush by a lone Isis gunman”, the US Central Command said in a post on X last month.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had said the gunman “was killed by partner forces”.
Echoing Trump’s warning, he added: “Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.”
What are US troops doing in Syria?
Hundreds of American troops have been deployed to eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting Isis, a designated terror group.
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The United Nations has estimated that there are about 5,000 and 7,000 Isis fighters in Syria and Iraq. The group was defeated in Syria in 2019, but its sleeper cells continue to carry out deadly attacks in the country.
Syria joined the international coalition in November, as Damascus builds its relations with the West following the fall on Bashar al-Assad’s regime last year.
This story is being updated.
