In a move that reeks of gunpowder and threatens to blow the Middle East into the air, Donald Trump ordered a ruthless, massive strike against targets in Syria.
The operation, bearing the codename “Operation Hawkeye Strike”, was launched in response to the bloodbath of 13 December, when two American soldiers and one interpreter were killed by ISIS fire near Palmyra.
Rain of “smart” bombs: 70 targets turned to ashes
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that American and Jordanian fighter jets struck more than 70 Islamic State targets across central Syria.
More than 100 precision munitions were used, with F-15, A-10 aircraft and Apache attack helicopters sowing death in weapons depots and terrorist infrastructure.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, initial reports speak of at least five dead ISIS fighters in Deir ez-Zor province, among them a drone unit commander.
Among the dead, the “head of the operational cell” was identified, who was directly responsible for the organization’s drone program in the area.
His death is considered a serious blow to ISIS capabilities to launch remote attacks against American and allied targets.
Trump: “We will hit you harder than ever before!”
The American president, in his characteristic aggressive tone, sent a chilling message via social media:
“The United States is imposing very serious retaliation, exactly as I promised, on the murderous terrorists.
We are hitting ISIS strongholds in Syria very hard, a place soaked in blood.
Anyone who dares to attack Americans will be hit harder than they have ever been hit before!”
“Declaration of revenge” from the Pentagon
Even harsher was the statement by the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, who made it clear that the strikes are not merely a military operation, but an act of pure revenge.
“This is not the beginning of a war, it is a declaration of vendetta,” he stated characteristically, warning that the USA will relentlessly hunt down and eliminate anyone who targets American citizens.
The operation Hawkeye Strike is expected to last several weeks, as American forces aim at the complete dismantling of ISIS pockets attempting to regroup after the fall of the Assad regime one year ago.
Video from the reception ceremony of the remains of the American soldiers, which served as the trigger for the massive counterstrike ordered by Trump.
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