A U.S.-led coalition had already been carrying out airstrikes and ground operations in Syria targeting ISIS suspects in recent months, often with the involvement of Syria's security forces. President Donald Trump had vowed to retaliate after an attack on U.S. personnel last weekend in Syria by a suspected member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strikes targeted "ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites" and said the mission was named Operation Hawkeye Strike. The two soldiers were killed in an attack in Syria that the U.S. military blame on ISIS. A U.S.-led coalition has carried out airstrikes and ground operations in Syria targeting ISIS suspects in recent months, often with the involvement of Syria's security forces.

Source: CBC News December 20, 2025 02:30 UTC