US launches large-scale strikes against IS targets in Syria

WASHINGTON -- US Central Command said Saturday that its forces conducted large-scale strikes against multiple Islamic State (IS) targets across Syria.

"Today, at approximately 12:30 pm Eastern Time, US Central Command forces, alongside partner forces, conducted large-scale strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria," the command posted on X.

The command said these strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched and announced on Dec 19 in response to a deadly IS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on Dec 13. In the attack, a lone IS terrorist carried out an ambush, killing two US soldiers and one US civilian interpreter.

The strikes are "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," US Central Command said, adding that US and coalition forces "remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States."