The Trump administration initiated military strikes on Friday in Syria aimed at "eliminating" fighters and weapons sites belonging to the Islamic State group, in response to an ambush that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. troops and an American civilian interpreter nearly a week prior.

A U.S. official characterized the operation as "a large-scale" strike that targeted 70 locations throughout central Syria known to have IS infrastructure and weaponry.

Another U.S. official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive operations, indicated that additional strikes are anticipated. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on social media, "This is not the beginning of a war it is a declaration of vengeance.

The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people."

The recent military operation in Syria occurs concurrently with the Trump administration's stated intention to concentrate efforts closer to home in the Western Hemisphere, where it is assembling a naval presence in the Caribbean Sea to target suspected drug-smuggling vessels and pledging to continue seizing sanctioned oil tankers as part of a pressure campaign against Venezuela’s leader.

The U.S. has redirected substantial resources away from the Middle East to pursue these objectives: Its most advanced aircraft carrier arrived in South American waters last month after departing from the Mediterranean Sea.