US and allied forces carried out a large‑scale strike against alleged Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria, code‑named Hawkeye Strike, in retaliation for the recent killing of American personnel. The operation involved US fighter jets, attack helicopters, artillery and Jordanian fighter aircraft, which hit more than 70 targets with over 100 precision‑guided munitions. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes focused on terrorist infrastructure and weapons sites across central Syria as part of a broader effort to prevent ISIS from planning and executing attacks against the United States and its partners.
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the operation is critical for thwarting terrorist plots and attacks on the US homeland, emphasizing that the United States will continue to pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and their allies. The strikes follow a December 13 attack on US and partner forces that has triggered a series of retaliatory operations in Syria and Iraq. Since that incident, American and allied troops have conducted ten operations, resulting in the killing or detention of 23 suspected ISIS operatives. Over the past six months, CENTCOM reports more than 80 counter‑terrorism operations have been carried out in Syria.
President Donald Trump noted that the Syrian government was aware of and supported the retaliatory strike. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described the operation as a “declaration of vengeance” rather than a war. The United States has been conducting operations against ISIS in Syria and Iraq for several years, aiming to disrupt the group’s ability to plan and execute attacks. The latest strikes underscore the US commitment to countering the terrorist threat posed by ISIS.
With ISIS still present in the region, the United States and its partners are expected to continue operations designed to disrupt and degrade the group’s capabilities. The US has affirmed its intention to work with allies to prevent ISIS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the US homeland and its interests abroad.
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