Trump Announces New U.S. Military Operation in Syria Targeting ISIS
U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday the launch of a new American military operation on Syrian soil, claiming the military has conducted heavy and targeted strikes against ISIS positions under the framework of an initiative dubbed “Operation Hawk’s Eye.”
Trump described the offensive as a “decisive response” to the recent killing of several American soldiers in Syria, stating that its objective is to weaken ISIS’s military capabilities and prevent threats to U.S. and allied interests. He further claimed that the Syrian government supported the attacks—an assertion that independent observers have interpreted as an attempt to legitimize U.S. military intervention in a sovereign country.
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that more than 100 precision munitions were used in the operation, striking over 70 ISIS-affiliated targets in Syria. CENTCOM said the strikes focused on the group’s infrastructure, weapons depots, and operational centers.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also confirmed the operation during a press briefing Friday night, stating that the action was in direct response to a recent ISIS assault near the city of Palmyra, which Washington says resulted in the deaths of three American service members. He added that the offensive is ongoing and that “a large number” of ISIS members have been killed, without providing specific details.
Simultaneously, Syria’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to combating ISIS and announced that the Syrian army has expanded its operations against the group in various parts of the country.
However, some analysts argue that Washington’s emphasis on ISIS is a means to justify and solidify its unauthorized military presence in eastern Syria, particularly in resource-rich areas. According to these experts, “Operation Hawk’s Eye” is less about counterterrorism and more a component of U.S. policy for military pressure and shaping new security dynamics within Syria.
