ISTANBUL
US Central Command (CENTCOM), together with partner forces, said Saturday that it carried out large-scale strikes on multiple positions of ISIS (Daesh) terrorist targets in Syria.
The strikes, which took place at around 5.30 pm GMT, as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched Dec. 19 at President Trump’s direction in response to a deadly Dec. 13 attack by the terror group on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, it added on US social media company X.
The Daesh ambush killed two US soldiers and an American civilian interpreter.
Saturday's strikes were part of Washington's efforts to "root out Islamic terrorism," safeguard US troops, prevent future attacks and protect American and allied forces in the region, said CENTCOM.
"U.S. and coalition forces remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States.
"Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice," it said.