DAMASCUS – The U.S. military launched a sweeping wave of airstrikes against dozens of Islamic State (ISIS) targets across central Syria on Friday. The operation, described by defense officials as a “large-scale response,” comes in direct retaliation for a deadly ambush last weekend that claimed the lives of two U.S. Army soldiers and an American civilian interpreter.
A “Declaration of Vengeance”
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the start of the mission, which utilized F-15 Eagle jets, A-10 Thunderbolt ground-attack aircraft, and AH-64 Apache helicopters. Hegseth characterized the operation not as the start of a new war, but as a “declaration of vengeance” against the terror group.
“The United States of America will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people,” Hegseth stated. The strikes targeted ISIS fighters, hidden infrastructure, and known weapons sites, primarily in the central desert region known as the Badia, where remnants of the group have attempted to regroup.
The Palmyra Ambush
The military escalation follows a December 13 attack near the historic city of Palmyra. A lone gunman, suspected of being an ISIS-aligned former member of the Syrian security forces, opened fire on a joint U.S.-Syrian patrol during a “key leader engagement.”
The fallen service members were identified as Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, both members of the Iowa National Guard. The civilian interpreter was identified as Ayad Mansoor Sakat. Three other U.S. soldiers were wounded in the engagement. President Donald Trump, who attended the dignified transfer of the remains at Dover Air Force Base earlier this week, had vowed “very serious retaliation” for the attack.
Shifting Alliances
The current military operations highlight a dramatic shift in the Syrian geopolitical landscape. Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad a year ago, the new interim government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa has actively sought to cooperate with the U.S.-led coalition.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that this partnership has already led to the destruction of over 15 weapons caches in southern Syria, including mortars, rockets, and IED materials. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, noted that these “tangible security gains” are critical for preventing ISIS from regenerating.
Continued Threat
Despite the loss of its territorial “caliphate” years ago, ISIS remains a persistent insurgent threat. CENTCOM revealed on Wednesday that the group has inspired at least 11 plots or attacks against targets within the United States over the past year. Since July, the U.S. and its partner forces have conducted nearly 80 operations, resulting in 119 terrorists detained and 14 killed.
Friday’s massive air campaign signals a heightened level of intensity as the U.S. aims to dismantle the group’s ability to conduct “green-on-blue” insider attacks and maintain its influence in the region’s power vacuum.
Sources
- The Guardian: US launches airstrikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria
- Associated Press/PBS: Hegseth announces operation to ‘eliminate ISIS fighters’ in Syria
- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM): U.S. Forces Protect the Homeland with Aggressive Pursuit of ISIS in Syria
- The Hindu: U.S. service members, civilian killed in ambush in Syria
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