The US and its partner forces have carried out large-scale strikes against Islamic State (IS) group targets in Syria, the US Central Command (Centcom) has announced.
US President Donald Trump directed the strikes on Saturday, which are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, in retaliation to the IS group's deadly attack on US forces in Syria on 13 December, Centcom wrote on X.
The strikes were conducted in an effort to combat terrorism and protect US and partner forces in the region, according to Centcom.
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, Centcom stated.
The US and its partner forces fired more than 90 precision munitions at more than 35 targets in an operation that involved more than 20 aircraft, an official told CBS News.
The operation included aircraft such as F-15Es, A-10s, AC-130Js, MQ-9s, and Jordanian F-16s.
The specific locations of the strikes and the extent of any casualties have not yet been disclosed.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the significance of the military action, stating, We will never forget, and never relent. He reiterated previous announcements that Operation Hawkeye Strike is a declaration of vengeance.
Prior to Saturday's engagement, US forces had killed or captured nearly 25 IS group members between December 20 and December 29, as part of the ongoing operation.
