US Launches Major Offensive Against ISIS Following Fatal Attack

Sat Dec 20 2025 04:04:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a swift military response, the United States has executed a significant strike on ISIS targets in Syria, triggering diverse responses from political stakeholders and military analysts.

The US military conducted a sizable operation against the Islamic State in Syria, named 'Operation Hawkeye Strike', following a deadly ambush that resulted in the deaths of American personnel. The operation involved air forces and artillery targeting key ISIS strongholds. US officials emphasize this is not a declaration of war but a decisive act of retaliation, echoing President Trump's commitment to combat terrorist threats. Meanwhile, conflicting narratives emerge about the attack's implications and the status of ISIS in the region.

The US military has executed a massive strike against the Islamic State group (ISIS) in Syria, in direct response to a recent attack that resulted in American casualties. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the operation, dubbed Hawkeye Strike, which targeted ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapon sites.

According to officials, the operation featured the deployment of fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery strikes, with support from Jordanian aircraft. This offensive was propelled by the tragic ambush that occurred on December 13 in Palmyra, where two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed.

President Trump underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, We are striking very strongly against ISIS strongholds. Hegseth clarified via post on X (formerly Twitter) that this action should be viewed as a declaration of vengeance, emphasizing that America will not hesitate in protecting its own.

If you target Americans anywhere in the world, you will spend your life knowing the United States will hunt you down and eliminate you. Today, we hunted and killed many of our enemies, and we will continue to do so, he asserted.

The US Central Command (Centcom) reported that this initiative was part of an extensive military push against ISIS, but they also stated that further details would be disclosed shortly.

In subsequent comments on his social media platform, Trump claimed that heavy retaliation was being enforced, as promised, against those responsible for the attacks. He noted the backing of the Syrian government in this venture.

Reports from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicate that ISIS positions near Raqqa and Deir ez Zor were targets of the strikes, leading to the elimination of a high-ranking ISIS leader along with various fighters.

Although ISIS has not publicly responded to the strikes, Centcom noted that the patrol area where the ambush occurred lies beyond the control of the Syrian government, with indications pointing to the attacker’s affiliation with Syrian security forces.

No group has claimed responsibility for the Palmyra ambush, and the identity of the gunman remains undisclosed. Experts note that despite ISIS losing its top territorial holdings in 2019, the group continues to pose a significant threat, reportedly maintaining an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq.

As the US holds a military presence in Syria since 2015, aimed at countering ISIS and training local forces, the recent developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing struggle against extremist forces in the region.