US Conducts Large-Scale Attacks Against ISIL in Syria Following Ambush

US Conducts Large-Scale Strikes Against ISIL in Syria

The United States military has carried out a series of attacks against the ISIL group in Syria, following an ambush that killed three American personnel in Palmyra last month. According to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes occurred at approximately 17:30 GMT and targeted multiple ISIS locations across Syria.

The CENTCOM statement emphasized that any harm inflicted on US warfighters would be met with swift retaliation, regardless of the location or circumstances. The operation, dubbed Operation Hawkeye Strike, was carried out in conjunction with partner forces, but the specific identities of these forces were not disclosed.

Grainy aerial footage accompanying the statement showed multiple explosions in rural areas. The CENTCOM did not provide information on whether any personnel were killed during the strikes.

The ambush on December 13 involved a lone gunman, identified as a member of Syria’s security forces who had been set to be fired due to his hardline views. The US military launched Operation Hawkeye Strike on December 19, targeting 70 locations across central Syria with ISIL infrastructure and weapons.

Since the launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike, US forces have reported killing or capturing approximately 25 ISIL fighters. The Syrian government has been increasingly involved in the fight against ISIL, having joined the global coalition against the group following an agreement reached late last year.

Source: Al Jazeera