US forces launched overwhelming retaliation on Friday, striking over 70 Islamic State targets across central Syria, with President Donald Trump calling it “very serious retaliation” after an Islamic State gunman killed three Americans near Palmyra last weekend.
The United States “struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria with fighter jets and artillery,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed, adding that the operation utilized over 100 precision munitions to destroy known ISIS infrastructure and weapons.
Furthermore, President Trump emphasized his resolve in a post on his Truth Social network regarding the recent military response. He stated the United States is “inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible.” Trump warned that those who attack Americans “WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE.”
Palmyra Attack Spurs Action
The 13th December attack at the UNESCO World Heritage site killed Iowa National Guard sergeants William Howard and Edgar Torres Tovar plus Michigan interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat. Syrian officials identified the gunman as a disgruntled security force member with extremist Islamist views, marking the first major security breach since Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow last December. Consequently, US forces were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the mission combating ISIS remnants still active in Syria’s deserts.
Meanwhile, Syria’s foreign ministry vowed on X to fight ISIS and deny it safe havens, stating, “The country ensures “no safe havens on Syrian territory, and will continue to intensify military operations against it wherever it poses a threat.”
In addition, CENTCOM noted US allies recently conducted 10 Syria-Iraq operations detaining or killing 23 militants. American troops remain deployed in Kurdish northeast Syria and at the Al-Tanf base despite ongoing drawdown discussions.
The strikes underscore continued US resolve against terrorist threats despite policy debates over the military footprint, as Washington promised relentless pursuit of those targeting its personnel anywhere.
