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The U.S. military carried out “large-scale” strikes against ISIS targets in Syria on Saturday as part of an operation launched by President Donald Trump last month following an attack that killed three Americans. U.S. Central Command said the strikes occurred around 12:30 p.m. ET.
“The strikes are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched and announced on Dec. 19, 2025, at the direction of President Trump, in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on Dec. 13, 2025,” Central Command said in a post on X.
“That ambush, carried out by an ISIS terrorist, resulted in the tragic deaths of two American soldiers and one U.S. civilian interpreter,” the statement said.
The post included video of U.S. fighter jets taking off for the operation, along with black-and-white footage showing multiple sites exploding after being hit.
Saturday’s strikes “targeted ISIS throughout Syria as part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region,” Central Command said.
“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,” the statement said.
Trump vowed retaliation against ISIS after the Dec. 13 attack.
“This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria that is not fully controlled by them,” Trump said at the time.
“The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack,” Trump said. “There will be very serious retaliation. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Saturday’s operation marked the second retaliatory strike in the past month.
U.S. forces previously hit dozens of ISIS targets on Dec. 20.
Fox News reporter Lucas Thompson said the latest strike is part of Trump’s plan to “avenge” the December attack.
Tensions between the United States and Venezuela appeared to ease in recent days following a period of heightened strain. President Donald Trump posted comments on Truth Social praising what he described as a “smart gesture” by Venezuela.
This is a marked shift in tone less than a week after a U.S.-backed operation captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The operation triggered strong condemnation from Maduro’s government and its allies.
Trump’s remarks suggested a potential cooling of relations, at least temporarily, after days of escalating rhetoric between Washington and Caracas, the Western Journal reported.
“Venezuela is releasing large numbers of political prisoners as a sign of ‘Seeking Peace,’” Trump began. “This is a very important and smart gesture. The U.S.A. and Venezuela are working well together, especially as it pertains to rebuilding, in a much bigger, better, and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.”
The significant gesture has apparently caused Trump to reconsider his earlier suggestion that additional military action might be necessary to further stabilize Maduro’s regime.
“Because of this cooperation, I have cancelled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks, which looks like it will not be needed,” the president posted.
But Trump made it clear that he wasn’t fully discarding the “big stick,” a term used by former President Theodore Roosevelt. “However, all ships will stay in place for safety and security purposes,” Trump said.
Trump emphasized a possible economic benefit for the U.S. stemming from the Maduro raid.
“At least 100 Billion Dollars will be invested by BIG OIL, all of whom I will be meeting with today at The White House,” he posted.
After Maduro’s capture, Trump suggested that Venezuela’s vice president should cooperate or face consequences.
