The United States has carried out a fresh round of large-scale military strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets across Syria, intensifying its campaign against the terror group following the killing of three Americans in a deadly ambush in Palmyra last month.
According to a statement issued by US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were conducted at around 12:30 pm Eastern Time on Saturday, in coordination with partner forces operating in the region. Multiple ISIS positions were hit across different parts of Syria, though specific locations were not disclosed. The operation forms part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched on December 19, 2025, at the direction of US President Donald Trump. The mission was announced as a direct response to the December 13 ISIS attack in Palmyra that claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a US civilian interpreter.
Retaliation For Deadly Palmyra Ambush
The Palmyra ambush killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a civilian interpreter supporting US and Syrian forces. The attack triggered swift condemnation in Washington and prompted renewed military action against ISIS networks operating inside Syria.
In its statement, CENTCOM said the latest strikes were aimed at degrading ISIS capabilities, dismantling its infrastructure, and preventing future attacks on US personnel and allied forces. “These strikes targeted ISIS throughout Syria as part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region,” the command said.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 10, 2026
‘We Will Find You Anywhere’: CENTCOM
Reiterating the US stance against attacks on its forces, CENTCOM issued a stern warning to terror groups. “Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice,” the statement said.
The US military has already carried out earlier strikes under Operation Hawkeye Strike, including a major offensive on December 19 that reportedly hit around 70 ISIS-linked targets across central Syria. Those strikes targeted weapons depots, logistics hubs and operational hideouts used by the extremist group.
CENTCOM confirmed that Saturday’s strikes were conducted alongside partner forces, without naming the countries involved. The US has traditionally worked closely with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in counter-ISIS operations. However, following political changes in Damascus in late 2024, Washington has expanded coordination with Syria’s central government as part of the global coalition against ISIS.
The renewed military action comes amid continued international efforts to prevent the regrouping of ISIS cells in Syria and the wider region. Despite losing territorial control, the group continues to pose a security threat through ambushes and targeted attacks..US officials maintain that Operation Hawkeye Strike will continue as long as ISIS remains capable of threatening American lives and regional stability.