The U.S. military carried out an additional round of what it called “large-scale strikes” against multiple ISIS targets in Syria on Saturday, describing the action as retaliation for a December attack that killed three Americans.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the airstrikes were aimed at ISIS targets “throughout Syria,” framing the mission as part of an ongoing effort to prevent future attacks and protect U.S. and partner forces in the region.
New round of retaliatory airstrikes
CENTCOM announced the latest strikes in a news release, saying the operation took place at about 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday.
The command said the strikes involved U.S. allies, but it did not name the countries that took part.
In a separate statement quoted by Politico, CENTCOM warned that those who harm U.S. troops will be pursued, saying: “If you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world.”
What triggered the response
CENTCOM tied the retaliatory strikes to an attack on Dec. 13 in Palmyra, Syria, that it said killed two American soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter.
Politico described the two troops killed as Iowa Army National Guard soldiers and also identified the third victim as a U.S. civilian working as an interpreter.
CENTCOM said the attack was carried out by what it called a lone ISIS gunman, and the command said that gunman was later killed.
Operation ‘Hawkeye Strike’ and earlier action
The Saturday strikes were described as the second wave of an operation called “Hawkeye Strike,” according to Politico’s account of CENTCOM’s announcement.
ABC News reported that the first retaliatory strike took place on Dec. 19 and was also referred to as “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” carried out by the United States and Jordan.
Since that initial strike, ABC News reported that the U.S. military has continued carrying out additional raids targeting ISIS.
How CENTCOM described the mission
CENTCOM said Saturday’s strikes targeted ISIS across Syria as part of what it called an ongoing commitment to “root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region.”
The command also said “U.S. and coalition forces remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States.”
Politico characterized the renewed military action as coming as President Donald Trump continues efforts to project influence in the Middle East.
