Operation Falcon Strike: A Test of Jolani and Abdullah II's Loyalty to America

While ISIS has issued a statement declaring Ahmed al-Sharaa an apostate, the massive US attack on ISIS positions in Syria is seen as a test of the loyalty of the self-proclaimed Syrian president and the king of Jordan to the White House.

News ID: 87059

Date: 21 December 2025 - 09:49

TEHRAN (Defapress) - The Trump administration launched military strikes in Syria last Friday night to target ISIS positions and weapons bases. This was in response to an attack that killed two American soldiers and a civilian translator about a week ago.

An informed American official described the attack as a major operation. During the attack, 70 targets were hit in various areas of Syria where ISIS infrastructure was located. Another informed White House official also stated that more attacks are expected in the near future.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegsett also wrote meaningfully on social media: “This is not the start of a war, but a revenge. The United States, under the leadership of Donald Trump, will never hesitate or retreat in defending its people.”

The new US military operation in Syria comes as the Trump administration announced that it has shifted US military focus to the Western Hemisphere to intensify pressure on the Venezuelan president. In addition, the US has transferred a large part of its military equipment from the Middle East to the Latin American region. In this regard, the most advanced US aircraft carrier entered South American waters from the Mediterranean Sea last month.

US President Donald Trump had promised “very serious revenge” after the shooting in the Palmyra region of Syria, which he attributed to ISIS. In his speech in North Carolina, Trump described the operation as a “massive attack” that destroyed the “ISIS thugs” in Syria as they were regrouping.

The US military's attacks on Friday night came after Trump had previously reiterated his support for the self-proclaimed Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on social media, saying al-Sharaa was fully supported by the US. The US president also issued another threatening tweet in all caps, warning ISIS not to attack American forces again.

In his threatening message, Trump noted: "I am warning all terrorists who are evil enough to attack Americans. If you attack or threaten America in any way, you will be hit harder."

However, regarding the US military's attack on ISIS's infrastructure and weapons, we should note that this attack was carried out using F-15 Eagle fighters, A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft, and AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. F-16 fighters from Jordan and HIMARS rocket artillery were also used.

An interesting and thought-provoking point during the US military attack on ISIS is that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that US fighter jets, helicopters, and artillery participated in this major operation. In addition, Jordan and its army also joined the US army in this attack on ISIS infrastructure and weapons in various parts of Syria.

On the other hand, we must say that this attack was a major test of Ahmed al-Shara’s commitment to the White House and the maintenance and continuation of relations with the US President. Trump has emphasized that Syria is fighting alongside American forces and “Ahmed al-Shara” is “very angry and upset” by the ISIS attack. This is while US military cooperation with Syrian security forces is expanding.

Across the field, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement after the US strikes began: “This attack demonstrates the urgent need to strengthen international cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms. Syria is committed to fighting ISIS and ensuring that terrorists have no safe haven on Syrian territory.”

Syrian state television reported that the US strikes hit targets in rural areas of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa provinces, as well as a region near the historic city of Palmyra. These targets included “weapons depots and headquarters that ISIS used to launch operations in the area.”

Interestingly, and questionably, ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the attack on US forces, but the group has claimed responsibility for two attacks on Syrian security forces, one of which killed four Syrian soldiers in Idlib province. ISIS has called the government and the al-Sharia Army “apostates” in its statements.

Finally, Trump met privately with the families of American victims at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware this week and then attended a funeral service with senior military officials and other dignitaries, a formal ceremony held at the highest level to honor American soldiers killed on the battlefield.