The United States has carried out a massive strike on the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria after a deadly attack on American forces. The operation targeted IS positions across central Syria, aiming to prevent further attacks on US personnel.
The US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery struck more than 70 IS targets. Aircraft from Jordan also joined the operation. Over 100 precision munitions were used against known IS infrastructure and weapons sites.
President Donald Trump said the US was hitting IS strongholds hard after the December 13 ambush in Palmyra. That attack killed two US soldiers and one civilian interpreter.
Centcom said Operation Hawkeye Strike began at 16:00 Eastern Time on Friday. Admiral Brad Cooper, the Centcom commander, stated the US would continue to “relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region.”
Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), reported that at least five IS members were killed in Deir ez-Zor province. The casualties included a cell leader responsible for operating drones in the region.
The Royal Jordanian Air Force also participated in the strikes to prevent extremist groups from threatening Syria’s neighbors and the wider region. IS has not publicly commented, and the exact targets have not been independently verified.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described the strike as a “declaration of vengeance.” He warned that anyone targeting Americans would face relentless retaliation. “Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue,” he said.
The two soldiers killed in Palmyra were identified as Sgt Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, and Sgt William Nathaniel Howard, 29. Three additional US soldiers were injured in the ambush, which occurred in an area outside Syrian government control.
President Trump confirmed the US retaliation on social media, describing it as a serious response to the terrorists responsible. He also said the Syrian government fully supported the action.
Centcom earlier reported that the Palmyra attack was carried out by an IS gunman who was subsequently engaged and killed. SOHR added that the attacker may have been linked to Syrian security forces, but no group has claimed responsibility, and the gunman’s identity remains unknown.
Although IS lost its last controlled territory in Syria in 2019, the group continues to carry out attacks. The United Nations estimates that IS still has 5,000 to 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
US troops have been present in Syria since 2015 to train local forces and support the fight against IS. Syria has recently joined the international coalition against IS and pledged cooperation with US forces. In November, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House, marking what he called a “new era” in relations between the two countries.
The massive strike demonstrates the US commitment to targeting IS wherever it operates and reinforces its long-term mission to protect American forces and regional partners from extremist attacks.