WASHINGTON: Retaliating to the 13th Dec Palmyra attack by a Syrian (allegedly ISIS-affiliated) Police officer, US carried out “Operation Hawkeye” destroying 70 targets across Syria on Friday (19th Dec, 2025) neutralising 5 ISIS members.
The two American Army soldiers from Iowa’s Hawkeye State have been identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29). A civilian interpreter too lost his life in the Palmyra attack.
Interior Ministry of Syria has informed that the attacker had been a part of Syria’s Internal Security service. But neither ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, nor it has been confirmed tht he was associated with ISIS.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) took to the X to proclaim: “Tonight, US and Jordanian forces struck 70+ISIS targets in Syria with 100+precision munitions.“
President Donald Trump posted: “Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible. We are striking very strongly against ISIS strongholds in Syria…
“… a place soaked in blood which has many problems, but one that has a bright future if ISIS can be eradicated. The Government of Syria, led by a man who is working very hard to bring Greatness back to Syria, and is fully in support. All terrorists who are evil enough to attack Americans are hereby warned — YOU WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE IF YOU, IN ANY WAY, ATTACK OR THREATEN THE U.S.A. DONALD J. TRUMP“
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated: “Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria. This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, …
“…will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people. As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.” (3:15 am · 20 Dec 2025).
It is pertinent to mention here that US-led coalition had already been targeting ISIS suspects by means of aerial as well as ground operations in Syria with the involvement of Syria’s security forces. Jordan Air Force, has confirmed its participation in the 19th Dec, operation.
Newspakistan.tv
