Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the United States had conducted strikes against ISIS targets in Syria in response to an attack last weekend that left two American troops dead. 

Hegseth said that the strikes were not about starting a new war, but enacting “vengeance” for an ISIS attack targeting American forces last Saturday. 

“Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria,” Hegseth posted on X. “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.”

“As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you,” he added. “Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.”

Citing an American official, the New York Times said that the strikes targeted dozens of ISIS sites throughout central Syria. The operation is set to be a “a massive attack,” the official said. 

The attacks last week killed two troops identified as 29-year-old Nate Howard and 25-year-old Edgar Torres. An American interpreter named Ayad Mansoor Sakat was also killed in the attack. Both Howard and Torres were members of the Iowa National Guard. 

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump and Hegseth attended a dignified transfer of the soldier’s remains at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

After the attacks last weekend, Trump said that the United States would retaliate. 

“I can tell you in Syria there will be a lot of damage done to the people that did it, that they got the person, the individual person, but there’ll be big damage done,” Trump said on Sunday.

Talk about a “power play” gone horribly wrong: Veteran Philadelphia Flyers announcer Tim Saunders just learned the hard way that in radio, the mic is always mightier than the sword, and usually much more “turned on” than you think.

During a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Saunders thought he had successfully sent the broadcast to a commercial break. Feeling a bit too relaxed in the booth, he decided to drop a line that was definitely not in the media guide. After a few moments of silence, thinking he was safely in commercial break, Saunders piped up with: “While you’re down there, would you mind blowing me?”

It might be when you’re used to describing guys “going hard to the net,” the terminology just spills over.

His partner, Todd Fedoruk, attempted a veteran defensive save, quickly whispering, “I think we’re still on the air, Tim.” Saunders, apparently thinking he was being “poked” by a prankster, let out a laugh before realizing he had just delivered the most memorable play-by-play of his 40-year career to every car radio in the Delaware Valley.

The Flyers organization, realizing this wasn’t exactly the “family-friendly friction” they promote, handed Saunders a two-game suspension. They released a statement saying, “We are aware of the inappropriate comment made during last night’s radio broadcast in the TV timeout of the Flyers-Sabres game. These remarks do not reflect the standards of conduct or values we expect from anyone associated with our organization … We take this matter very seriously and sincerely apologize to our listeners, fans and those affected by these comments.”

I think we’re still on the air Tim 😂😭😂😭 pic.twitter.com/lwbeDR8aJy

— Travis Ballinghoff (@travieballin26) December 19, 2025

Saunders issued a heartfelt apology on Friday, admitting, “During last night’s game in Buffalo, I made an error in judgement with my comments that were made when I thought we were in a commercial break. I recognize how offensive my remarks were, and the harm it has caused. I take full responsibility and sincerely apologize to the Flyers, 97.5 The Fanatic and all those affected by my remarks. To all Flyers fans and listeners of our broadcast, I promise that I will hold myself to a higher standard moving forward to ensure our broadcast is a safe and respectful place everyone can enjoy.”

For now, Saunders is on ice.