The U.S. military carried out large-scale retaliatory strikes Friday against dozens of ISIS targets in Syria following the killing of three Americans in an ambush last weekend, according to U.S. officials.
Operation Hawkeye Strike
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation, dubbed Operation Hawkeye Strike, targeted ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites in response to a Dec. 13 attack near Palmyra, Syria. U.S. Central Command said more than 70 ISIS targets were struck using about 100 munitions.
The strikes involved F-15 and A-10 fighter jets, Apache attack helicopters and HIMARS rocket artillery, with Jordanian fighter aircraft also participating.
Response to Deadly Ambush
The retaliatory action followed the deaths of two Iowa National Guardsmen and a U.S. civilian interpreter, who were killed by a lone ISIS gunman during a key leader engagement. Three additional Guardsmen were wounded in the attack. The gunman was later killed, according to CENTCOM.
President Donald Trump said the strikes were delivering “very serious retaliation” against ISIS strongholds in Syria and added that Syria’s new government supported the action.
U.S. Officials Emphasize Deterrence
Hegseth said the strikes were not the start of a broader war but a decisive response meant to defend U.S. forces and deter future attacks. Military officials said the operation aimed to deliver a significant blow to remaining ISIS elements in central Syria.
ISIS Remains Active in Region
U.S. intelligence estimates that between 1,500 and 3,000 ISIS militants remain active in Syria and Iraq. Officials said recent partner-led raids, supported by U.S. forces, captured or killed dozens of militants and provided intelligence that helped guide Friday’s strikes.
U.S. Troop Presence in Syria
About 1,000 U.S. troops remain stationed in Syria, primarily in the east, as part of an ongoing mission to prevent an ISIS resurgence. The fallen Iowa National Guardsmen were based at a remote outpost near the Jordanian border, which was visited Friday by the commander of U.S. Central Command.
The ambush marked the first U.S. combat deaths in Syria since 2019, underscoring the continued threat posed by ISIS remnants despite the group’s territorial defeat years ago.
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