US launches new retaliatory strikes against IS in Syria after deadly ambush

A US airman preparing a plane in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike (US Air Force/DVIDS via AP)

The US has launched another round of retaliatory strikes against the so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria following last month’s ambush that killed two US soldiers and one American civilian interpreter in the country.

The large-scale strikes were conducted by the US alongside partner forces, according to US Central Command.

The strikes hit multiple IS targets across Syria.

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

Saturday’s strikes are part of a broader operation that is part of US President Donald Trump’s response to the deadly IS attack that killed Sgt Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt William Nathaniel Howard, and Ayad Mansoor Sakat, the civilian interpreter, in Palmyra last month.

“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,” US Central Command said in a statement on Saturday.

The administration is calling the response to the Palmyra attacks Operation Hawkeye Strike.

Both Sgt Torres-Tovar and Sgt Howard were members of the Iowa National Guard.

In December the US launched a large-scale strike that hit 70 targets across central Syria that had IS infrastructure and weapons.