Washington

The United States has carried out military strikes against ISIS targets in Syria following the killing of two American service members, US President Donald Trump said on Friday (local time).

Confirming the retaliation, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike, a targeted military campaign aimed at eliminating ISIS fighters, weapons depots and operational infrastructure inside Syria.

In a post on social media platform X, Hegseth said US forces initiated the operation earlier in the day in direct response to the December 13 attack on American troops near Palmyra, Syria. Emphasising the intent behind the action, he said the operation was not the start of a broader conflict but a decisive act of retribution.

Tonight, U.S. and Jordanian forces struck 70+ ISIS targets in Syria with 100+ precision munitions. Peace through strength. pic.twitter.com/XWWvfqBBFT

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 20, 2025

“This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance,” Hegseth wrote. He added that under President Trump’s leadership, the United States would act without hesitation to protect its citizens and military personnel.

Hegseth further warned that anyone targeting Americans would face relentless consequences. “If you attack Americans anywhere in the world, you will spend the rest of your short life knowing that the United States will hunt you down. Today, we did exactly that,” he said, adding that US forces killed a significant number of ISIS operatives and would continue such actions if necessary.

President Trump echoed the warning in a statement on Truth Social, asserting that ISIS militants responsible for the killings would face unprecedented retaliation. He said the strikes were carried out as promised after the “brutal murder” of American soldiers in Syria.

Trump also referred to a recent ceremony where the remains of the fallen soldiers were returned to the United States, calling it a moment of deep national respect. He said US forces were striking ISIS strongholds across Syria, a country he described as deeply scarred by violence but capable of a brighter future if extremist groups are eliminated.

The US President further claimed that the Syrian government had expressed support for the operation, noting that its leadership was working to stabilise the country. He issued a stern warning to terrorist organisations worldwide, saying any threat to Americans would be met with overwhelming force.

According to US officials cited by CNN, Operation Hawkeye Strike involved attacks on dozens of ISIS-linked targets, including weapons storage facilities and logistical infrastructure spread across Syrian territory.

The operation’s name references Iowa — known as the “Hawkeye State” — as the two soldiers killed in the attack were members of the Iowa National Guard. The fallen service members were identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown.

Both soldiers were killed while engaging hostile forces near Palmyra and were assigned to the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division, the US Army said.

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In addition to the fatalities, three other Iowa National Guard personnel were wounded in the attack and have since been evacuated for further medical treatment.