The United States military on Friday carried out extensive air and ground strikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria, targeting more than 70 locations linked to the terror group, according to US officials. The operation, dubbed Operation Hawkeye, was launched in direct retaliation for a deadly attack on American forces earlier this month.
Announcing the action on social media platform X, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the operation was aimed at dismantling ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons networks following the December 13 attack on US personnel in Palmyra, Syria.
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.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) December 19, 2025
This is not the beginning of a war — it is a…
“Earlier today, US forces commenced Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on US forces that occurred on Dec. 13 in Palmyra,” Hegseth said.
Deadly attack triggered retaliation
On December 13, two US Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed when a convoy of American and Syrian forces was attacked in Palmyra, Reuters reported. The attacker was shot dead at the scene, while three additional US soldiers sustained injuries. Around 1,000 American troops remain deployed in Syria as part of ongoing counterterrorism operations.
Describing the latest military action, Hegseth stressed that Operation Hawkeye was not the start of a wider conflict but a decisive response.
“This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance,” he said.
“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.”
More than 100 precision strikes across central Syria
US Central Command confirmed that the strikes began at around 4:00 pm Eastern Time and hit more than 70 ISIS targets across central Syria. The operation involved a combination of air and ground firepower, including F-15 fighter jets, A-10 aircraft, Apache helicopters and HIMARS rocket systems. More than 100 precision-guided munitions were reportedly used during the mission.
Jordanian fighter jets also supported the strikes, highlighting continued regional coordination in counterterrorism efforts.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, ISIS positions near Raqqa and Deir ez Zor were among the locations hit. The group reported that a senior ISIS leader and several fighters were killed, a claim later cited by the BBC.
US-led coalition continues anti-ISIS operations
The US-led coalition has maintained regular air and ground operations against ISIS in recent months, often coordinating with Syrian security forces. These missions aim to prevent the extremist group from regrouping and carrying out further attacks.
Syria’s current government, led by former rebel factions, took power last year after President Bashar al-Assad was ousted following more than 13 years of civil war. Despite the change in leadership, ISIS remnants continue to pose a security threat in parts of the country.
Operation Hawkeye underscores Washington’s warning that attacks on American forces will be met with swift and overwhelming force, even as the US maintains that its presence in Syria remains focused on counterterrorism rather than broader military escalation.