US Launches “Operation Hawkeye Strike” Against Islamic State in Syria

The United States has carried out a large-scale military operation against Islamic State (IS) targets in Syria, following a deadly ambush that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra on December 13.

According to US Central Command (Centcom), the operation—named Operation Hawkeye Strike—involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, artillery, and more than 100 precision-guided munitions, hitting over 70 IS targets across central Syria. Aircraft from Jordan’s Royal Air Force also participated.

President Donald Trump declared the operation a success, stating, “We hit every site flawlessly,” and vowed relentless retaliation against anyone who targets Americans. He described the strikes as “very serious retaliation” and said the Syrian government was supportive.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the action as vengeance rather than war, warning that any group attacking Americans would be “hunted, found, and ruthlessly killed.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least five IS fighters were killed, including a key drone-cell leader in Deir ez Zor. IS has not commented, and independent verification of targets remains pending.

Despite losing its territorial control in Syria in 2019, the UN estimates IS still has 5,000–7,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq. US troops have remained in Syria since 2015 as part of counterterrorism operations.

The strikes come amid improving US–Syria ties, following Syria’s inclusion in an international anti-IS coalition and a high-profile White House meeting last month between Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.