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Australia backs “swift and decisive” action as Washington targets Islamic State positions in Syria
The United States military has launched large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria, following a deadly attack on U.S. personnel that officials say was carried out by the extremist group.
The operation comes days after a suspected ISIS attack killed American troops in central Syria, prompting President Donald Trump to vow strong retaliation against the group he described as “evil.”
Australia Welcomes US Action
Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, welcomed the strikes, expressing support for the United States’ response to the threat posed by ISIS.
Speaking in Canberra on Saturday, Albanese said the action taken by Washington was both necessary and timely.
“The actions of the United States government are timely, swift and decisive, and we support those actions,” he said.
“ISIS has caused untold suffering around the world — not only through the violence it carries out, but through the evil ideology it spreads.”
The Prime Minister also referenced a recent “ISIS-inspired” attack in Bondi, Sydney, identified by Australian intelligence agencies.
“That evil ideology has no place in humanity, no place among global citizens, and certainly no place in Australia,” Albanese added.
Details of the US Operation
U.S. officials said the strikes targeted more than 70 ISIS locations across central Syria, including fighter positions, weapons depots and infrastructure.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation, dubbed Operation Hawkeye Strike, involved F-15 and A-10 fighter jets, Apache attack helicopters and HIMARS rocket systems.
“This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance,” Hegseth said.
“Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. And we will continue.”
President Trump confirmed on social media that the Syrian government had fully supported the strikes, describing them as “very serious retaliation.”
Background to the Attacks
The strikes follow an attack last Saturday in the central Syrian city of Palmyra, where two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed when a convoy of American and Syrian forces was targeted. Three other U.S. soldiers were wounded. The attacker was shot dead at the scene.
Syria’s Interior Ministry later said the attacker was a member of the Syrian security forces suspected of sympathising with ISIS.
U.S. officials noted that a U.S.-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes and ground operations against ISIS remnants in Syria for several months, often in coordination with Syrian security forces.
Syria Reaffirms Commitment
In a statement, Syria’s foreign ministry reiterated the country’s commitment to eliminating ISIS and ensuring the group has “no safe havens on Syrian territory.”
Syria is now governed by a coalition led by former rebel groups that ousted President Bashar al-Assad last year, ending a 13-year civil war. The new leadership includes factions that previously broke away from Al Qaeda and have clashed with ISIS.
Last month, Syria strengthened cooperation with the U.S.-led coalition during a visit by President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House.
About 1,000 U.S. troops remain deployed in Syria as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
