DAMASCUS: The United States US military has conducted a series of heavy airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in central Syria, in a direct response to a recent fatal attack on American personnel.
US officials confirmed that fighter jets and helicopters successfully struck multiple ISIS infrastructure and weapons installations in the operation, codenamed “Hawkeye Strike.” US Secretary of Defense Pat Hegseth stated the aim was to degrade the militant group’s capabilities.
The strikes come days after an attack near the ancient city of Palmyra killed three American citizens, including two soldiers, during a joint patrol. President Donald Trump had promised a forceful retaliation, declaring on his Truth Social platform, “Those who attack America will receive a stronger response than before.” He also asserted that the Syrian government is “fully supporting the US operations.”
In a parallel statement, the Syrian government announced its continued military operations against ISIS, suggesting a coinciding or supportive stance towards the US-led action. This development hints at a rare, de facto alignment of interests in the ongoing fight against the militant group in the region.
The operation marks a significant escalation in US military activity in Syria, underscoring a pledge to retaliate forcefully against threats to its forces.
Meanwhile the Inspector General (IG) of Balochistan Police, Abdul Khalique Shaikh, unveiled a transformative modernization plan for the force while addressing the prestigious passing out parade of the 104th Recruit Course at the Police Training College (PTC) here on Wednesday. Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti was the chief guest at the ceremony.
In a policy speech that blended tribute with future vision, the IG honored the martyrs of the 2016 PTC terrorist attack, sending a clear message to adversaries. “The blood of the martyrs will not go in vain,” he declared, asserting that the force’s morale “is strong like a rock.”
Looking forward, Sheikh announced a revolutionary roadmap to catapult the Balochistan Police into a new era of technology and precision. The plan involves phasing out traditional methods and equipping the force with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and long-range precision weapons. He further disclosed that specialized schools are being established to provide advanced training in counter-terrorism (CTD), investigation, and other critical fields.
