News Desk: The United States has unleashed a swift retaliatory offensive against the Islamic State in Syria, launching Operation Hawkeye Strike after a brazen ISIS ambush near Palmyra left three Americans dead, officials and media reports said.
The military action follows the December 13 attack on U.S. and allied forces in central Syria, where an ISIS-linked gunman killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter and wounded three others. The attacker was later neutralised by partner forces. U.S. officials described the incident as one of the most serious assaults on American personnel in Syria in recent times.
U.S. Central Command launched Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria after last week’s attack on U.S. and partner forces. Over 70 ISIS targets were hit using precision strikes, with support from partners, to prevent future terror plots against the U.S.@CENTCOM pic.twitter.com/kp9C6xIDtq
— Shalinder Wangu (@Wangu_News18) December 20, 2025
Pentagon sources said the operation targets ISIS fighters, command nodes, weapons depots and logistics routes in and around Palmyra, aiming to cripple the group’s ability to mount further attacks.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the strikes were a direct response to the killings and not a prelude to a wider war. In a strongly worded message, he warned that any attack on Americans would invite relentless retaliation.
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.
This is not the beginning of a war — it is a…
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) December 19, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, posting on Truth Social, said Washington was acting on its promise to respond decisively. He said U.S. forces were hitting ISIS strongholds “very hard” and claimed the Syrian government was backing the operation. “Syria has suffered enough bloodshed. Eradicating ISIS is the only path to a better future,” he wrote.
The ambush near Palmyra underscored the enduring threat posed by Islamic State, which, despite losing most of its territory, continues to operate as a lethal insurgent network across parts of Syria.
American forces remain deployed in the country as part of a counterterrorism mission to prevent ISIS from regrouping. Officials say the latest strikes are designed to send a clear message: attacks on U.S. troops will be met with immediate and overwhelming force.
Why the U.S. is still in Syria
Stopping an ISIS revival:
ISIS no longer holds land, but its cells continue ambushes and bombings. U.S. troops help track militants and secure detention centres holding thousands of fighters.
Protecting Kurdish allies:
Washington backs the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Kurdish-led coalition that spearheaded the fight against ISIS. U.S. military support is seen as crucial to keeping the SDF from being overwhelmed.
Countering Iran’s reach:
Eastern Syria is strategically sensitive due to Iran-backed militias. U.S. bases disrupt Tehran’s land corridor and deter threats to Israel and other allies.
Strategic leverage:
A continued U.S. presence limits the influence of Russia, Iran and Damascus, while giving Washington a say in future political and humanitarian arrangements.
Limited troops, focused mission:
With about 900 personnel on the ground, the U.S. maintains a small but high-impact deployment focused on counterterrorism, intelligence and force protection.
Operation Hawkeye Strike signals that, even years after ISIS lost its caliphate, the U.S. is prepared to strike hard to protect its forces and prevent the terror group from rising again.
