U.S. Central Command launched “Operation Hawkeye Strike” against ISIS in Syria on Friday in response to last week’s deadly attack on American and partner forces in Palmyra. CENTCOM forces struck more than 70 targets across central Syria using fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery, according to a statement. The operation used over 100 precision munitions to target known ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites. The Jordanian Armed Forces supported the operation with fighter aircraft.
“This operation is critical to preventing ISIS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the U.S. homeland,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region.” On Dec. 13, a “lone ISIS gunman” ambushed and killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter in Palmyra, Syria.
Noureddine el-Baba, a Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman, told the state-run Syrian News Channel (Al-Ikhbariya) that the terrorist, who was part of the government security forces, was already being investigated, Time magazine reported. After the attack, U.S. and partner forces carried out 10 operations in Syria and Iraq, resulting in the deaths or detention of 23 terrorists, CENTCOM said on Friday. (Read More)
