Washington: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that US forces have commenced "OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE" in Syria targeting the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).
According to Kuwait News Agency, the operation is designed to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites. This action is a direct response to the attack on US forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria. Secretary Hegseth stated on his X account that the operation is not the beginning of a war, but rather a declaration of vengeance. He emphasized that under President Trump's leadership, the United States will never hesitate and never relent in defending its citizens.
Hegseth further reiterated that any entity targeting Americans will be pursued relentlessly. He affirmed that the US will hunt down its enemies and eliminate them. The Secretary reinforced the message that the US has taken decisive action and will continue to do so, stating that the US forces have hunted and killed many of their enemies and will persist in these efforts.