In a decisive military response, the United States has launched a targeted operation against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in Syria. The action, named Operation Hawkeye Strike, was carried out on Friday (local time) and is a direct retaliation for an attack earlier this month that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter.
A Declaration of Vengeance, Not War
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the operation as a measured but forceful response. He explicitly stated that this was not the start of a new war. "This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance," Hegseth declared in a social media post. "The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people." The White House echoed this sentiment, with Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly confirming President Trump's promise of retaliation was being fulfilled.
Details of the Military Operation
The retaliatory strikes involved a significant show of air power. According to a US official quoted by the Associated Press, the operation utilised F-15 Eagle fighter jets, A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft, and AH-64 Apache helicopters. This multi-platform assault was aimed at precise targets linked to the Islamic State group in Syria.
The Attack That Triggered the Response
The catalyst for Operation Hawkeye Strike was a deadly incident on December 13 in the Syrian desert. The attack claimed the lives of two members of the Iowa National Guard and a US civilian interpreter. The Trump administration immediately attributed the assault to ISIS. President Donald Trump vowed "very serious retaliation" shortly after the news broke.
Interestingly, President Trump noted that Syrian forces were operating alongside US troops at the time and that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was "extremely angry and disturbed" by the incident. The fallen Guardsmen were part of a larger deployment of hundreds of US troops stationed in eastern Syria as part of the ongoing international coalition campaign against the Islamic State.
The launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike underscores the volatile security situation in Syria and the US administration's stated policy of swift retaliation against threats to American personnel. The move signals continued US involvement in the region's counter-terrorism efforts, even as it emphasizes the action as a specific response rather than an escalation into broader conflict.
