Trump vows peace through strength after ordering strikes on Syrian terrorists

US President Donald Trump announced during a speech to supporters in North Carolina that, on his orders, a significant strike had been conducted against terrorists in Syria responsible for the deaths of American service members.

“I ordered a massive strike on the terrorists that killed our three great patriots last week. Two soldiers, one interpreter, all great people. And it was very successful. It was precision. We hit every sight flawlessly and we are restoring peace through strength. We're all over the world.”

According to a statement issued by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on social media, "Operation Hawkeye Strike" was carried out in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13 in Palmyra, Syria.

"This is not the beginning of a war -- It is a declaration of vengeance," said Hegseth. "The United States of America, under President Trump's leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people."

The strikes in Syria are in retaliation for the deaths of three Americans in Palmyra, Syria, by what CENTCOM said was a lone ISIS gunman who was later killed. 

Reports from inside Syria, including the monitoring agency the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that explosions had been heard in areas of the country.

The three fatalities included two Iowa National Guardsmen and a U.S. civilian interpreter, three other Iowa National Guardsmen were injured in the attack.

By Aghakazim Guliyev