The United States military has initiated a new operation targeting ISIS positions within Syria, dubbed ‘Operation Falcon Eye.’ The move comes in response to a recent attack in Palmyra that resulted in the deaths of three American personnel.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the operation Friday, stating that American forces are actively engaged in dismantling ISIS infrastructure, eliminating fighters, and destroying weapons caches. The operation is a direct response to the December 13th attack targeting US forces.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, our nation will never hesitate to defend its people,” Hegseth stated in a post on X. He further claimed that the operation has already resulted in the deaths of “numerous” ISIS operatives and affirmed the commitment to continued action.
President Donald Trump later commented on the strikes, stating that the US is delivering “very powerful blows” against ISIS strongholds in Syria. He described the attacks as a decisive response to the group’s killing of American soldiers in the region.
Trump added that the Syrian government, under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Shara, “fully supports our military operation against ISIS.” He acknowledged the years of bloodshed and turmoil in Syria but expressed optimism for a brighter future following the defeat of ISIS.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry released a statement affirming Damascus’s unwavering commitment to combating ISIS and ensuring the group has no safe haven within the country. The statement further indicated Syria’s intention to intensify military operations against ISIS in all areas where it poses a threat. They also urged the United States and member states of the international coalition to support Damascus’s counter-terrorism efforts.
Earlier reports indicated that the US-led coalition conducted airstrikes targeting ISIS headquarters in several areas of central and eastern Syria. According to a Syrian security source, the targeted locations included areas in the Homs desert, as well as the Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa countryside.
DZWatch continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available.
