JUST IN: "YOU WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE IF YOU, IN ANY WAY, ATTACK OR THREATEN THE U.S.A." – Trump and Hegseth Announce "Lots of" Enemies Killed in Operation Hawkeye Strike, a "Declaration of Vengeance" in Response to ISIS Killing US Troops Syria (VIDEO)

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that US forces executed "Operation Hawkeye Strike" against ISIS facilities "in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria."

"This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance," Hegseth said, adding that "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 continued, "Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue."

US Central Command released footage from the operation shortly after the announcement was made.

Full statement below:

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.

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.

Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.