Why is it in News?
→ The US launched Operation Hawkeye Strike targeting Islamic State infrastructure in Syria.
→ The strike was in direct response to an attack on US forces in Palmyra.
Important Points
- Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched by the United States.
- Targets included Islamic State (IS) infrastructure and weapons sites.
- The action followed an attack on US forces in Palmyra.
- IS is also known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).
- IS emerged from al-Qaeda in Iraq.
- IS self-declared itself a pan-Islamic Caliphate.
- In India, IS is banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
- Syria is located in West Asia.
- Syria is bordered by Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon.
- Syria has a Mediterranean Sea coastline.
- Conflict-affected areas include Aleppo, Homs, Idlib, and the Golan Heights.