U.S. strikes more than 70 Islamic State targets in Syria

By Nathan Morley

U.S. forces launched missiles after midnight from bases in the countryside of Deir al‑Zour toward Islamic State positions in desert areas of eastern and northern Syria, Syrian state media reported Saturday.

U.S. Central Command said fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria, using more than 100 precision munitions against what it described as known Islamic State infrastructure and weapons sites.

President Donald Trump said the United States was “striking very strongly” at Islamic State strongholds following a Dec. 13 ambush near Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter.

Jordan’s state-run Petra news agency said the Royal Jordanian Air Force took part in the operation to prevent extremist groups from threatening the security of Syria’s neighbors and the wider region.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were “not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the Palmyra attack, and the identity of the gunman has not been released.

U.S. troops have maintained a presence in Syria since 2015 as part of the campaign against Islamic State. Syria has recently joined an international coalition to combat the group and has pledged to cooperate with the United States.

Earlier, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said the government remains committed to preventing Islamic State from establishing safe havens and called on the United States and other coalition members to support its efforts.