Washington – On Friday, December 19, 2025, the United States military initiated Operation Hawkeye Strike, a large-scale aerial campaign against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria, in direct retaliation for a December 13 ambush in Palmyra that killed two U.S. Army soldiers from the Iowa National Guard and a civilian interpreter, while wounding three others.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the operation on social media platform X, stating: “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.” He described the action as “not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance,” adding that U.S. forces had “hunted and killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.”
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, rocket artillery, and over 100 precision munitions targeting more than 70 ISIS sites, including weapons storage and operational facilities across central and eastern Syria, such as areas near Palmyra, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa. Jordanian fighter aircraft also participated, marking regional cooperation.
President Donald Trump, who attended a dignified transfer ceremony for the fallen at Dover Air Force Base earlier in the week, hailed the operation on Truth Social: “We are striking very strongly against ISIS strongholds in Syria... The Government of Syria... is fully in support.” He emphasized fulfilling his promise of “very serious retaliation” against those responsible for the “vicious killing of brave American Patriots.”
The December 13 attack occurred during a joint U.S.-Syrian counterterrorism patrol near the ancient city of Palmyra in Homs province. A lone gunman ambushed the convoy, killing Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa; and civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat. The assailant was killed by responding forces. U.S. officials attributed the attack to ISIS, though some reports noted the gunman was a member of Syrian security forces under investigation for extremist views, raising questions about infiltration.
The strikes underscore ongoing U.S. efforts to prevent ISIS resurgence amid Syria's post-Assad transition. Approximately 1,000 U.S. troops remain deployed in Syria for counter-ISIS operations, a mission intensified since Syria joined the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in late 2025. Syrian authorities condemned the Palmyra attack and pledged intensified operations against ISIS, with state media reporting no ground involvement in the U.S. strikes.
No immediate casualty figures from Operation Hawkeye Strike were released, and operational details remain limited. The name "Hawkeye" honors the victims' home state of Iowa.
This escalation highlights persistent ISIS threats despite its territorial defeat in 2019, with sleeper cells exploiting regional instability. Analysts note the strikes could deter further attacks while signaling U.S. commitment to partners in the new Syrian government led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
