US Central Command, in collaboration with partner forces, carried out significant strikes against multiple ISIS targets in Syria following a deadly attack on US personnel in December. The strikes, part of Operation Hawkeye Strike initiated on December 19, 2025, occurred on Saturday at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The operation was a response to an attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra on December 13, where two American soldiers and a US civilian interpreter lost their lives in an ambush attributed to an ISIS terrorist. CENTCOM labeled these strikes as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, a direct reaction to the Palmyra incident.
The US military’s actions aimed to prevent further attacks on American and partner forces in the region by targeting ISIS positions across Syria. These strikes are part of the ongoing commitment to combat Islamic terrorism, safeguard warfighters, and shield American and partner forces in the area.
US and coalition forces are resolute in pursuing ISIS militants to eliminate the threat they pose. The military emphasized its determination to pursue terrorists threatening the United States, without disclosing specific details on targets struck, locations, weapons used, damage assessment, or casualties resulting from the strikes.
The operation is part of a broader strategy to deter assaults on US forces abroad and signal that any harm to American personnel will be met with a forceful response. The message conveyed is clear: those who harm US warfighters will face consequences regardless of their attempts to evade justice.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated this stance on social media, emphasizing a relentless pursuit of justice and a commitment to never forget. Operation Hawkeye Strike, announced as a sustained effort, aims to disrupt ISIS networks and prevent the group from regaining operational strength.
