The United States carried out large-scale retaliatory air and ground strikes against dozens of Islamic State (ISIS) targets across Syria on Friday, US officials said. The operation followed a deadly attack on American personnel last weekend in central Syria.
Read More: Two US soldiers killed in suspected ISIS Syria attack
According to US defence officials, the strikes were part of an operation dubbed Hawkeye Strike and targeted ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons depots. The action marked one of the most extensive US military responses against the group in recent months.
Tonight, U.S. and Jordanian forces struck 70+ ISIS targets in Syria with 100+ precision munitions. Peace through strength. pic.twitter.com/XWWvfqBBFT
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 20, 2025
The U.S. launches major airstrikes on ISIS targets across central Syria. Fighter jets, attack helicopters & artillery hit dozens of terror sites after Trump vowed revenge for the killing of two U.S. soldiers. pic.twitter.com/fG6vbHrpT3
— TRIDENT (@TridentxIN) December 20, 2025
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation was intended as direct retaliation rather than the start of a wider conflict. He stated that American forces had “hunted” and eliminated a significant number of ISIS militants and would continue to do so if necessary.
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
⭕ BREAKING: Syria — U.S. launches massive strikes against ISIS
• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth calls it a “declaration of vengeance,” not the start of a war
• As many as 50 targets hit following the killing of two National Guard members and one translator last week–Jennifer… pic.twitter.com/fxuNM9TYQJ
— ZIONS OF ISRAEL (@Israeli_Sniper) December 19, 2025
President Donald Trump said on social media that the Syrian government fully supported the strikes. He described the military action as “very serious retaliation” against those responsible for the attack on US personnel.
A US official said more than 70 targets were hit across central Syria using F-15 and A-10 fighter jets, Apache helicopters, and HIMARS rocket systems. The US-led coalition has already been conducting airstrikes and ground operations against ISIS in coordination with Syrian security forces.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 19, 2025
Syria’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fighting Islamic State and preventing the group from establishing safe havens. It said cooperation with international partners remained essential to maintaining security.
The strikes followed an attack in the central Syrian town of Palmyra, where two US Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed. Three other US soldiers were wounded in the assault on a joint American-Syrian convoy.
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Syrian authorities said the attacker was a member of the security forces suspected of sympathising with ISIS. Around 1,000 US troops remain deployed in Syria as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.