U.S. launches strikes in Syria targeting Islamic State fighters after American deaths

"The Trump administration launched military strikes Friday in Syria to "eliminate" Islamic State group fighters and weapons sites in retaliation for an ambush attack that killed two U.S. troops and an American civilian interpreter almost a week ago. A U.S. official described it as "a large-scale" strike that hit 70 targets in areas across central Syria that had IS infrastructure and weapons."

"Another U.S. official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive operations, said more strikes should be expected. "This is not the beginning of a war it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump's leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on social media."

"The new military operation in Syria comes even as the Trump administration has said it's looking to focus closer to home in the Western Hemisphere, building up an armada in the Caribbean Sea as it targets alleged drug-smuggling boats and vowing to keep seizing sanctioned oil tankers as part of a pressure campaign on Venezuela's leader. The U.S. has shifted significant resources away from the Middle East to further those goals: Its most advanced aircraft carrier arrived in South American waters last month."

The U.S. launched military strikes in Syria to eliminate Islamic State fighters and weapons sites in retaliation for an ambush that killed two U.S. troops and an American civilian interpreter. Officials described the operation as a "large-scale" strike that hit 70 targets across central Syria and said additional strikes should be expected. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the action "a declaration of vengeance" and vowed the United States will defend its people. President Trump pledged "very serious retaliation," hailed the operation as a "massive strike" and affirmed backing for Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The strikes occurred amid a U.S. shift of resources toward the Western Hemisphere, including an armada in the Caribbean and an aircraft carrier moving to South American waters as part of pressure on Venezuela.

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