The United States military and allied forces conducted “large-scale” strikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) across Syria on Saturday, in response to a December attack that killed American personnel, officials said.
The strikes were carried out under Operation Hawkeye Strike, a mission announced in December 2025 as a direct retaliation for an ambush near Palmyra on December 13 that left three Americans dead — two U.S. soldiers and one civilian interpreter.
Retaliation for deadly ambush
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on social media platform X that the operation targeted ISIS positions throughout Syria. The strikes occurred at about 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time and involved coordinated attacks on multiple suspected militant sites.
The deadly December ambush was carried out by a suspected ISIS gunman, according to U.S. and international reports. The attack, part of the ongoing militant insurgency in eastern Syria, marked the first deadly incident against U.S. forces in the region in over a year.
Scope of the operation
According to military officials and news outlets, this latest campaign involved strikes on over 35 locations linked to ISIS infrastructure, with more than 90 precision-guided munitions deployed. Military aircraft including U.S. fighters participated, and the action was described as a continuation of efforts to neutralise remaining ISIS capabilities.
The operation follows earlier strikes in December that hit dozens of targets as part of the same Hawkeye Strike initiative. CENTCOM has said these actions aim to degrade ISIS networks and deter future attacks on U.S. and partner forces.
Broader context
ISIS, though territorially weakened over recent years, continues to maintain a presence in parts of Syria and Iraq, conducting sporadic attacks. The United States leads or supports several joint efforts in the region, including Operation Inherent Resolve.