Donald Trump has hit Isis with “massive” airstrikes in Syria after the Islamist terror group killed three Americans a few days ago.
Two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter had been killed by the group last week – with Mr Trump promising a “serious retaliation” at the time.
Now, jets, helicopters and artillery have smashed multiple targets in the country – whose regime is much friendlier to the US than it was just a year ago.
One US official offered more detail, saying the strikes hit more than 70 targets across central Syria and were carried out by F-15 and A-10 jets, along with Apache helicopters and Himars rocket systems.
Writing on social media, the US President said: “Because of Isis’s vicious killing of brave American patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible.
“We are striking very strongly against Isis strongholds in Syria, a place soaked in blood which has many problems, but one that has a bright future if Isis can be eradicated.
“The Government of Syria, led by a man who is working very hard to bring greatness back to Syria… is fully in support.
“All terrorists who are evil enough to attack Americans are hereby warned – you will be hit harder than you have ever been hit before if you, in any way, attack or threaten the USA.”
PICTURED: A US helicopter thought to be involved in the late-night strikes
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REUTERS
Syria went on to reiterate its commitment to fighting Isis and ensuring that it has “no safe havens on Syrian territory” in a statement by its Foreign Ministry.
Earlier, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the strikes targeted Isis fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites.
He also named the attack “Operation Hawkeye Strike”.
“This is not the beginning of a war – it is a declaration of vengeance,” Mr Hegseth said. “Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue,” he added.
DONALD TRUMP TAKES ACTION – READ MORE:
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the strikes targeted Isis fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites
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REUTERSAmerican officials said the strikes were against “dozens” of Isis targets across central Syria – and follows a number of sporadic strikes on the terror group over the last few months.
About 1,000 US troops remain in Syria after the country’s forces withdrew from the country in 2019 – under Donald Trump’s orders.
Now, things are different – former dictator Bashar Al-Assad has fled to Russia, and Syria’s Government is led by former Islamists who toppled him in 2014.
Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration includes members of Syria’s former Al Qaeda branch who broke with the group and clashed with Islamic State.
New Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met Donald Trump in person in November
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GETTY
Mr Al-Sharaa has even met Mr Trump in person.
On Saturday, the American trio were killed in the ancient Syrian town of Palmyra by an attacker who targeted a convoy of American and Syrian forces before being shot dead, according to the US military.
Three more American troops were wounded in the attack.
The Syrian Interior Ministry has described the attacker as a member of the Syrian security forces suspected of sympathizing with Isis.
