U.S. Military Launches Strikes In Syria Targeting Islamic State Fighters In Retaliation Over Deadly Ambush

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration launched military strikes in Syria on Friday to “eliminate” Islamic State (ISIS) group fighters and weapons sites. Ambush attack that killed two US soldiers and an American civilian translator almost a week ago.

A US official described the attack as a “large-scale” attack that hit 70 targets in areas of central Syria where ISIS infrastructure and weapons are located. Another U.S. official, who discussed sensitive operations on condition of anonymity, said more attacks should be expected.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement on social media, “This is not the beginning of a war, but a declaration of revenge. The United States, under the leadership of President Trump, will never hesitate or compromise in defending our people.”

New military operation in Syria takes place despite what Trump administration said was planned Focus closer to home in the Western Hemispherebuild a Navy in the Caribbean Sea as intended Boats allegedly involved in drug smuggling and I swear to keep Seizure of sanctioned oil tankers As part of a pressure campaign against the Venezuelan leader. The USA has experienced a significant change Resources are far from the Middle East To further these goals: State-of-the-art the aircraft carrier has arrived It emerged from the Mediterranean into South American waters last month.

President Donald Trump has vowed “very serious retaliation” after an attack in the Syrian desert that he blamed on ISIS. Those killed were among hundreds of people US soldiers deployed in eastern Syria as part of Coalition fighting against militant group.

Trump said in his social media post that the attacks targeted ISIS “strongholds.” He reiterated his opinion Support for Syrian President Ahmed Al SharaTrump said he “fully supports” the U.S. efforts.

Trump also threatened ISIS in all capital letters, warning it not to attack American personnel again.

“Any terrorists bad enough to attack Americans are hereby warned; IF YOU ATTACK OR THREATEN THE USA IN ANY WAY, YOU WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE BEFORE,” the President added.

US officials said the attack was carried out using F-15 Eagle jets, A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters. An official added that F-16 fighter jets and HIMARS rocket cannons from Jordan were also used.

US Central Command, which oversees the region, said in a post on social media that American jets, helicopters and artillery used more than 100 precision munitions on Syrian targets.

The attack was a major test for the warming relations between the United States and Syria. Overthrow of autocratic leader Bashar Assad a year ago. Trump emphasized that Syria was fighting alongside US troops and said Al Shara was “extremely angry and disturbed by this attack.” US military expands cooperation With Syrian security forces.

The Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement on

Syrian state television reported that US strikes hit targets in rural areas of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces and in the Jabal al-Amur region near the historical city. palmyra. He said they targeted “weapons depots and headquarters that ISIS uses as the starting point of its operations in the region.”

ISIS has not said it carried out the attack on US soldiers, but the group has since claimed responsibility for two attacks on Syrian security forces; one of these resulted in the death of four Syrian soldiers in Idlib province. In their statement, the group described the Al Shara government and army as “apostate”. While Al Shara once led an Al Qaeda-affiliated group, he had a long-standing feud with ISIS.

Trump this week met with families privately The number of Americans slain at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware before meeting top military officials and other dignitaries on the tarmac for the dignified transfer, a solemn and largely silent ritual honoring U.S. soldiers killed in action.

guards Sergeant, who was killed in Syria last Saturday. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown. U.S. civilian Ayad Mansoor Sakat of Macomb, Michigan, who was working as a translator, was also killed.

The attack near Palmyra also injured three US soldiers as well as Syrian security forces and killed the gunman. Interior Ministry spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba said the attacker joined the Syrian internal security forces two months ago as a base security officer and was recently reassigned due to suspicions that he may have ties to ISIS.

The man broke into a meeting between US and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together, and opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards.

Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut, Lebanon, contributed.