US launches ‘large-scale’ airstrikes on ISIS-jihadist targets across Syria under Operation Hawkeye, after attack that killed 3 Americans
U.S. Central Command said American forces, working with partner forces, carried out large-scale strikes on multiple ISIS targets across Syria, an operation ordered following a deadly attack on U.S. personnel in December.
U.S. Central Command said American forces, working with partner forces, carried out large-scale strikes on multiple ISIS targets across Syria, an operation ordered following a deadly attack on U.S. personnel in December.
CENTCOM said the attacks occurred around 12:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday and were carried out as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched and announced on December 19, 2025.
U.S. officials said the operation was led by President Donald Trump in response to a Dec. 13 attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria. Two American soldiers and a US civilian translator were killed in this ambush, which the US military attributed to an ISIS terrorist.
CENTCOM described the campaign as a direct response to the Palmyra attack, saying, “These attacks are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike.” he said.
The U.S. military said Saturday’s strikes targeted ISIS positions across Syria and were aimed at preventing further attacks on American and partner forces operating in the region.
“Today’s strikes targeted ISIS across Syria as part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region,” CENTCOM said in a statement. he said.
The command said U.S. and coalition forces remain committed to pursuing ISIS militants who continue to pose a threat. “The United States and coalition forces are determined to pursue terrorists who want to harm the United States,” the statement said.
CENTCOM did not immediately provide details on the number of targets hit, specific locations hit or the type of weapons used. The military also did not release an assessment of the damage or say whether there were any casualties in the attacks.
U.S. officials framed the operation as part of a broader effort to deter attacks on American forces stationed abroad and signaled that attacks on U.S. personnel would be met with force.
“Our message remains strong: If you harm our warriors, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice,” the CENTCOM statement said. he said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated that message in a brief post on social media after the attacks were announced. “We will never forget and we will never give up,” Hegseth wrote about X.
Operation Hawkeye Strike was announced last month as a sustained campaign rather than a single retaliatory action. U.S. officials said the goal of the operation was to disrupt ISIS networks and prevent the group from rebuilding its operational capacity.
(IANS Entries)
