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US conducts large-scale strikes on ISIS targets in Syria
The United States military executed a sweeping operation against Islamic State (ISIS) positions in Syria on Friday, following a fatal attack on American personnel earlier this month. U.S. Central Command (Centcom) confirmed the assault, dubbed Operation Hawkeye Strike, involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery.
Scope and execution of the operation
Centcom reported that over 100 precision-guided munitions struck more than 70 ISIS targets across central Syria. The targets included known militant infrastructure and weapons storage sites. Jordanian aircraft also participated in the mission, which began at 16:00 Eastern Time (21:00 GMT).
Admiral Brad Cooper, Centcom commander, stated the U.S. would "continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region."
Casualties and ISIS response
Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), told AFP that at least five ISIS members were killed in eastern Syria's Deir ez Zor province. Among the dead was a local cell leader responsible for drone operations. ISIS has not publicly commented on the strikes, and independent verification of the targets remains unavailable.
Political and military reactions
President Donald Trump declared the operation demonstrated "very serious retaliation" against the group, fulfilling his pledge to target those responsible for the December 13 ambush in Palmyra. Two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter died in that attack, while three other soldiers were injured.
"If you target Americans-anywhere in the world-you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you."
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Trump also claimed the Syrian government "fully" supported the U.S. response. Centcom previously stated the Palmyra attacker was an ISIS gunman who was later killed. However, SOHR alleged the assailant belonged to Syrian security forces. No group has claimed responsibility, and the gunman's identity remains undisclosed.
Broader context of ISIS in Syria
The United Nations estimates ISIS retains between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq, despite losing its last territorial stronghold in 2019. The group has since conducted sporadic attacks, including the recent ambush in Palmyra, which occurred in an area outside Syrian government control.
U.S. troops have maintained a presence in Syria since 2015, primarily to train local forces combating ISIS. Syria recently joined a global coalition against the group and has pledged cooperation with Washington. In November, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Trump at the White House, framing the visit as a "new era" in bilateral relations.
