CENTCOM Command, responsible for the Middle East, announced that Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched on Friday at 4 p.m. EST (midnight in Damascus). It was emphasized that this was a response to the attack on American and allied forces that took place last Saturday.
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What targets did the US attack in Syria?
When did Operation Hawkeye Strike begin?
How many missiles were used in the operation?
Why did the US carry out this operation?
CENTCOM forces struck more than 70 targets in multiple locations in central Syria, the statement reads. Fighters, attack helicopters and artillery were used for this purpose. The Jordanian armed forces also provided support in the form of fighter aircraft.
The operation involved the use of over 100 precision-guided missiles targeting IS infrastructure and weapons storage sites. According to the Wall Street Journal, the facilities were attacked using F-15 and A-10 aircraft, Apache helicopters and Himars missiles.
“This operation is critical to preventing IS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the United States,” said CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners throughout the region,” he added.
US retaliation for the deaths of soldiers
The statement announced that after the attack on American and Syrian forces on December 13, the United States and allied forces carried out 10 operations in Syria and Iraq, as a result of which 23 terrorists were killed or detained.
Over the past six months, the United States and its allies in Syria have carried out more than 80 operations aimed at eliminating terrorists who pose a direct threat to the United States and security in the region, the command said.
US President Donald Trump said earlier on Friday that American forces were conducting “very strong” strikes against the strongholds of the jihadist Islamic State in Syria. He added that the operation has the support of the Syrian authorities.
The American authorities emphasized that the operation launched on Friday is a response to the attack on American forces that took place on December 13 in Syria, for which the administration claims that the Islamic State is responsible. Three Americans were killed – two soldiers and a translator – and another three soldiers were wounded. The US president then announced retaliation against IS and stated that the terrorist attack was directed against both the US and the Syrian authorities.
