New York: The United States carried out a series of intense airstrikes on Islamic State (ISIS) positions across Syria on Saturday night, unleashing what officials described as a decisive response to the killing of three American citizens. The US State Department and Central Command (CENTCOM) released video footage confirming the operation and showcasing precision strikes on militant infrastructure.
The military action is part of “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” launched on the orders of President Donald Trump as retaliation for a deadly attack on US forces last month. According to CENTCOM, the operation aims to dismantle ISIS networks, eliminate leadership targets, and deter future attacks on American personnel.
Footage shared on social media shows US fighter jets taking off from regional bases and striking multiple ISIS locations across central and eastern Syria. Several terrorist compounds and logistical hubs were destroyed in coordinated aerial assaults.
Retaliation for Palmyra Attack
US officials stated that the strikes were a direct response to the December 13, 2025 attack near Palmyra, where an ISIS militant carried out an ambush on US forces. The attack killed two Iowa National Guard soldiers—Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar (25) and William Nathaniel Howard (29)—along with an American civilian interpreter. It was the first deadly assault on US troops in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.
In a strongly worded statement accompanying the video release, CENTCOM warned terrorist groups against targeting American forces.
“Our message is clear,” the statement said. “If you harm our service members, we will find you anywhere in the world and eliminate you. You cannot escape justice.”
What Is Operation Hawkeye Strike?
Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched on December 19, 2025, with its initial phase reportedly destroying nearly 70 ISIS targets in central Syria. The campaign involves close coordination with Jordanian armed forces, highlighting regional cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts.
Just a day before the latest US airstrikes, Syrian security forces claimed they had arrested ISIS’s chief military commander for the Levant region, further tightening pressure on the extremist group.
The US military has maintained a presence in Syria since ISIS seized large areas of Iraq and Syria in the mid-2010s. Hundreds of American troops remain deployed in the country with the stated mission of preventing the group’s resurgence and ensuring long-term regional stability.
