DAMASCUS, Dec 20: The United States says it has launched what it called a large-scale military assault on Islamic State positions in Syria, following a deadly ambush on American personnel earlier this month. US Central Command said fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery units hit more than 70 locations across central Syria, with aircraft from Jordan also taking part. The strikes targeted Islamic State facilities and weapons depots and used over 100 precision-guided munitions, according to US officials speaking to the BBC.
President Donald Trump said the action was meant to send a clear message after the 13 December attack in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Posting on social media, he said the US was delivering strong retaliation against those responsible.
The US defence secretary went further, saying American forces had tracked down and killed many of their enemies and would continue to do so if US personnel were targeted anywhere in the world, as reported by the BBC.
U.S. carries out air strikes against Iran-backed militia in Ira...
The Pentagon said the Palmyra attack was carried out by an Islamic State gunman who was later killed during the incident. Three other US soldiers were wounded. A defence official said the ambush occurred in an area beyond the Syrian government’s control.
At the same time, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attacker was linked to Syrian security forces, adding to uncertainty about who carried out the assault. No group has formally claimed responsibility, and the gunman’s identity has not been made public, the BBC said.
The Syrian Observatory also reported that recent US strikes hit Islamic State positions near Raqqa and Deir ez Zor, killing several fighters, including a senior figure within the group. Islamic State has not issued a response, and the BBC said it was not able to independently confirm the claims about casualties or targets.
Although the Islamic State lost the last territory it controlled in Syria in 2019, the United Nations estimates the group still has thousands of fighters across Syria and Iraq. US troops have been stationed in Syria since 2015 to support local forces battling the group.
Syria has recently joined an international effort against the Islamic State and has pledged cooperation with Washington. US Central Command said the latest operation, named Operation Hawkeye Strike, began on Friday evening US time, with its commander vowing continued action against those who threaten Americans, the BBC reported.
