WASHINGTON, D.C. December 19, 2025 – The United States military has conducted targeted strikes against ISIS positions in Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike , announced Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Friday.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Hegseth declared that U.S. forces had commenced operations earlier in the day to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites. The strikes were a direct response to an ISIS attack on December 13 in Palmyra, Syria, that targeted American personnel.
“This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance,” Hegseth wrote. “The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people.”
He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward threats against Americans, stating: “If you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.”
Hegseth reported that a significant number of ISIS militants were killed in the operation, adding that U.S. forces “will continue” such actions as needed.
The announcement comes amid ongoing U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region. Details on the scope of the strikes, including precise locations beyond Syria and casualty figures, were not immediately disclosed by the Department of War.
The post quickly garnered widespread attention, amassing over 1.4 million views and thousands of engagements within hours, reflecting strong public interest in the administration’s aggressive stance against terrorism.
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