US mounts large strikes on Islamic State sites in Syria after Palmyra attack

Strikes and immediate aftermath

The US military launched what CENTCOM called a "massive strike" across central Syria in retaliation for a deadly ambush in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter. Operation Hawkeye Strike, begun on Friday evening (21:00 GMT), involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, artillery and aircraft from Jordan, and CENTCOM said more than 100 precision munitions hit over 70 targets at multiple locations. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper vowed continued action against militants; the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported at least five IS members killed in Deir ez Zor, including a leader of a local drone cell. The BBC was unable to independently verify the targets.

Context and contested details

US officials said the strikes follow a 13 December attack in Palmyra in which the attacker was engaged and killed; other reporting has disputed the gunman’s affiliation, with SOHR claiming he was a member of Syrian security forces and no group formally claiming responsibility. US leaders, including President Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, framed the operation as retaliation and a warning to those who attack Americans. The strikes come amid a continued US military presence in Syria since 2015 to counter IS, with the UN estimating the group still fields thousands of fighters across Syria and Iraq. Syria has signalled willingness to cooperate with efforts against IS, and Jordan confirmed its air force’s participation. as reported by BBC

This story has also been reported by: Al Jazeera, New York Times