US Defense Secretary Pete Higgseth announced on Friday that US forces had launched a targeted military operation, codenamed "Eye of the Hawk," inside Syrian territory. This direct and decisive military action targets ISIS strongholds and infrastructure. The operation comes as an immediate response to the deadly attack in Palmyra that killed three Americans.
In the details of the announcement published via the “X” platform, Hegseth confirmed that the operation is primarily aimed at eliminating active fighters and destroying strategic weapons storage sites belonging to the organization, noting that these strikes come as a direct response to the targeting of US forces on December 13.
Details of the Palmyra attack and American motives
The Syrian Interior Ministry had previously revealed details of the attack that triggered this operation, stating that the incident resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian translator, in addition to injuries to three other military personnel. Initial investigations indicated that the perpetrator was a member of the Syrian security forces, suspected of having ideological ties or sympathies with ISIS, highlighting the complexities of the security landscape and the overlapping loyalties in the region.
The security context and the threat of ISIS sleeper cells
Operation “Eye of the Falcon” comes at a time when the region is witnessing increasing warnings of a resurgence of ISIS activity through its sleeper cells, particularly in the vast Syrian desert region, which extends to areas near Palmyra. Despite the group’s territorial defeat years ago, its remnants still use the rugged desert areas as a refuge to launch surprise attacks, exploiting the difficult terrain to regroup and stockpile equipment.
Strategic importance and targeted messages
This US military response carries strategic implications that extend beyond mere retaliation for the victims; it sends a clear message about the United States' commitment to protecting its forces operating in the region and its zero-tolerance policy toward any threat to the lives of its soldiers or contractors. The operation also reflects Washington's determination to prevent the terrorist organization from rebuilding its military capabilities or exploiting security vacuums to threaten regional and international stability.
Observers believe that naming the operation “Eye of the Falcon” suggests the precision of the targeting and the intensive intelligence surveillance that preceded the execution, which confirms the continuation of the American intelligence effort to pursue the leaders and members of the organization, and to ensure that Syria does not turn again into a launching pad for cross-border terrorist operations.
