Operation Hawkeye Strike Explained: Why The US Hit 70 ISIS Targets In Syria | Video

Operation Hawkeye Strike, US officials say, is meant to send a clear message that the United States will respond forcefully to attacks on its personnel and continue its campaign against ISIS in the region.

The United States launched Operation Hawkeye Strike against a dozen ISIS targets in Syria on Friday (local time) after two American soldiers were killed earlier this month in an attack blamed on the Islamic State (ISIS).

Sharing a video on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, "Tonight, US and Jordanian forces carried out strikes on more than 70 ISIS targets in Syria using over 100 precision-guided munitions. Promoting peace through strength."

US President Donald Trump described the strikes as a strong act of retaliation against those responsible for the killings. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the action fulfilled his promise to respond firmly to the deaths of US personnel. Trump said the US was hitting ISIS hideouts and made it clear that attacks on Americans would not go unanswered.

"Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible," Trump said in the post.

Trump said eliminating the terror group ISIS was necessary for Syria’s future stability. He also warned extremist groups that any threat or attack against the United States would be met with a strong response.

"We are striking very strongly against ISIS strongholds in Syria, a place soaked in blood which has many problems, but one that has a bright future if ISIS can be eradicated. The Government of Syria, led by a man who is working very hard to bring Greatness back to Syria, and is fully in support. All terrorists who are evil enough to attack Americans are hereby warned — YOU WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE IF YOU, IN ANY WAY, ATTACK OR THREATEN THE USA," Trump added.

US Defense Secretary On Operation Hawkeye 

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was not a declaration of war, but a response to the killing of two American soldiers, and that the US will always take action to protect its people.

"This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people. As we said directly following the savage attack, 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. Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue," Hegseth said in a post on X.

How Big Were The US Strikes In Syria?

As per media reports, American forces carried out a major strike targeting around 70 locations in central Syria connected to ISIS facilities and weapons, and warned that further strikes could follow.

Which Military Aircraft Were Used In The US Strikes On ISIS In Syria?

Media reports said the operation involved F-15 Eagle fighter jets, A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft, and AH-64 Apache helicopters, which were used to strike ISIS targets in different parts of Syria.

What Triggered Operation Hawkeye Strike?

The strikes followed a December 13 attack in Syria in which two members of the Iowa National Guard and a US civilian interpreter were killed. The Trump administration blamed ISIS for the attack.

The soldiers who died were part of a larger US military presence in eastern Syria, where American forces are deployed as part of an international coalition working to prevent ISIS from regrouping and carrying out further attacks.

Who Were The US Troops Killed In The Syria Attack?

The US Army named the two soldiers killed in the attack as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, from Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, from Marshalltown, both serving in the Iowa National Guard. The civilian interpreter who died was Ayad Mansoor Sakat from Macomb, Michigan.