The US military carried out airstrikes against ISIS in Syria on Saturday in another retaliatory strike over an attack that killed American service members.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that it had carried out strikes “throughout Syria” as part of Operation Hawkeye, without disclosing casualties.
An unnamed US official told CNN that the operation launched 90 precision munitions at more than 35 targets, using over two dozen aircraft.
Footage shared on CENTCOM’s social media showed F-15E fighter jets and A-10 Warthogs taking off in a montage with grainy ‘unclassified’ footage of explosions.
“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,” a statement read.
CENTCOM did not specify exactly where the strikes took place, and only noted that they happened in the early afternoon, US Eastern Time.
The military said the attacks were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched last month after Islamic State militants killed US military personnel in Syria.
Two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in that December 13 incident in Palmyra, it said. The soldiers were identified as 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar of Des Moines, Iowa, and 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown, Iowa.
Three other Iowa National Guard members were wounded in the attack blamed on ISIS.
“The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria as part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region,” CENTCOM said on Saturday.
“US and coalition forces remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared the statement, adding: “We will never forget, and never relent.”
Florida Rep Jimmy Patronis added: “The United States maintains the most lethal fighting force in the world. Let it be known, POTUS’ peace through strength agenda was not a slogan, but a promise kept.”
The Trump administration announced the operation in December, launching a large-scale strike with Jordan that hit 70 targets across central Syria that had IS infrastructure and weapons.
