U.S. forces launched coordinated strikes on more than 70 Islamic State (IS) targets in central Syria on Friday, a large-scale retaliation after a deadly ambush killed American service members and a civilian interpreter earlier this month, according to reporting by Reuters.
The strikes, which involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, artillery and precision munitions and included support from Jordanian fighter aircraft, were part of what U.S. Central Command referred to as “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” aimed at IS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in multiple locations across central Syria. The campaign followed an ambush near
Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers and one U.S. civilian interpreter on Dec. 13, 2025.
Why It Matters
The operation underscores the persistent challenge of countering Islamic State remnants years after the group lost its territorial caliphate. Although IS no longer controls significant territory, its sleeper cells and decentralized fighters remain active in Syria, prompting periodic U.S. and partner military responses to prevent a resurgence.
The strikes also highlight the evolving role of U.S. forces in Syria, balancing counterterrorism objectives with efforts to support local partner forces and avoid renewed large-scale conflict in the region.
What To Know
According to the Reuters report, U.S. Central Command said jets, helicopters and artillery struck more than 70 IS positions as retaliation for the Dec. 13 attack. The operation employed more than 100 precision munitions and targeted known IS infrastructure and weapons sites.
The Russian-led Syrian government, which itself has joined the global coalition against IS, reiterated its commitment to countering the militant group following the strikes, saying the attack “underscores the urgent necessity of strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms,” according to a Syria foreign ministry statement summarised by Euronews/AP.
In past months, the U.S. military and Kurdish-led forces such as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have conducted dozens of joint operations against IS, including raids and airstrikes that killed suspected militant leaders, demonstrating ongoing pressure on the group’s networks.
Explicit caveat: Public reporting indicates that IS continues to operate in diminished capacity, but available information does not establish that it has regained large-scale territorial control or centralized command comparable to its seized “caliphate” of the mid-2010s.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. Central Command said in its statement that the strikes targeted more than 70 IS infrastructure and weapons sites, using fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery, with support from partner forces including Jordanian aircraft.
U.S. President Donald Trump described the operation as a “very serious retaliation” for the ambush that killed American troops and vowed continued pressure against IS militants.
What Happens Next
U.S. military officials say further operations against Islamic State remnants are likely as part of continued coalition efforts. Coordination with regional partners, including Syrian coalition forces and Jordan, is expected to remain part of ongoing strategy to prevent IS cells from regrouping or launching further attacks.
