Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a decisive operation aimed at eliminating ISIS fighters and their infrastructure in Syria. This announcement follows the tragic deaths of three U.S. citizens, including two members of the Iowa National Guard.
Operation to Eliminate ISIS in Syria
The operation is a direct response to an attack that occurred on December 13, which resulted in the loss of American lives. Hegseth emphasized that this is “not the beginning of a war,” but a “declaration of vengeance.” He stated that the United States, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, will not hesitate to protect its citizens.
Details of the Attack
The assault claimed the lives of two Iowa National Guard members and a civilian interpreter. Specifically, the fallen soldiers are:
- Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines
- Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown
- Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a civilian from Macomb, Michigan
These service members were part of a coalition deployed in eastern Syria to combat ISIS.
President Trump’s Response
Following the attack, President Trump expressed intentions for “very serious retaliation.” He described Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa as “extremely angry” about the incident. The attack involved U.S. military aircraft, including F-15 Eagle jets and AH-64 Apache helicopters.
On December 13, Trump met with the families of the deceased at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. This was part of a solemn ceremony honoring the fallen service members.
Continuing Military Operations
U.S. officials indicated that further military actions are anticipated as part of the ongoing efforts to eliminate the threat posed by ISIS. Following the announcement, the Pentagon has advised media to refer to Hegseth’s social media posts for updates.
The White House reiterated the commitment to hold ISIS accountable for the deaths of American heroes, affirming the nation’s resolve to confront this menace decisively.
