The attack is being carried out in response to the deaths of two US soldiers in a recent attack near the city of Palmyra in central Syria.

A US official stated that fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery participated in the bombing of multiple Daesh targets in various areas of central Syria, including weapons depots and facilities used to support the extremist group’s operations.

The official pointed out that the air and artillery strikes lasted for several hours and described them as a large-scale operation.

For his part, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hagseth clarified that the action does not mark the beginning of a war, but rather a reprisal, and assured that Washington will not hesitate to defend its personnel.

In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that more than 100 precision-guided munitions were used to attack more than 70 ISIS sites in central Syria, using artillery, aircraft, and helicopters.

The statement specified that the Jordanian Air Force provided support for the operation.

Syrian state media reported, citing local sources, that the international coalition airstrikes targeted positions of the extremist group in the Maadan Desert, in Raqqa province, the Hamad Desert, in Deir Ezzor, and in the Jabal al-Amour area.

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