The United States military launched airstrikes in Syria on Friday, targeting infrastructure and weapons sites associated with the Islamic State group (IS). These operations followed an ambush approximately one week prior that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. service members and one American civilian interpreter.
Strike Details and U.S. Statements
U.S. officials described the strikes as "large-scale," hitting 70 targets across central Syria. The operation involved F-15 Eagle jets, A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack aircraft, AH-64 Apache helicopters, F-16 fighter jets from Jordan, and HIMARS rocket artillery. U.S. Central Command reported the use of over 100 precision munitions. A U.S. official indicated that further strikes might occur.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on social media that the operation was a "declaration of vengeance" and affirmed the U.S. commitment to defense. President Donald Trump addressed the operation in a speech, calling it a "massive strike" against IS members attempting to regroup. He also stated his support for Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who Trump said was "fully in support" of the U.S. effort. President Trump issued a warning that any future attacks on American personnel would be met with severe force.
This military action occurs amidst a stated shift in the Trump administration's focus towards the Western Hemisphere, involving deployments in the Caribbean Sea for drug-smuggling interdiction and a pressure campaign against Venezuela. This has included reallocating resources from the Middle East.
Syrian Response
Syria's foreign ministry issued a statement via X, acknowledging the necessity of international cooperation against terrorism and reaffirming Syria's commitment to combating IS. Syrian state television reported that the U.S. strikes impacted rural areas in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces, as well as the Jabal al-Amour area near Palmyra, targeting sites identified as IS weapons storage and operational headquarters.
IS has not claimed responsibility for the attack on U.S. service members. However, the group has claimed two subsequent attacks on Syrian security forces, one of which resulted in four Syrian soldier fatalities in Idlib province. IS statements have referred to al-Sharaa's government and army as "apostates," despite al-Sharaa's historical antagonism towards IS.
The Attack on U.S. Personnel
President Trump met privately with the families of the deceased at Dover Air Force Base, followed by a dignified transfer ceremony. The U.S. service members killed on Saturday were identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29. Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a U.S. civilian interpreter, also died. Three other U.S. troops and several Syrian security forces members were wounded in the incident near Palmyra, where the assailant was killed.
According to Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba, the assailant had joined Syria's internal security forces as a base security guard two months prior to the incident. He had recently been reassigned due to suspicions of affiliation with IS. The individual opened fire during a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials after clashing with Syrian guards.