US Military Carries Out Major Strikes Against Islamic State Targets in Syria

Sat Jan 17 2026 14:53:44 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In response to a deadly attack, the US military, alongside partner forces, launched extensive airstrikes targeting Islamic State positions in Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike.

The US Central Command announced large-scale airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria, directed by President Trump following an IS attack on US forces on December 13. The operation involved over 90 precision munitions and 20 aircraft targeting IS positions, reinforcing a strong US commitment to protect its personnel and allies in the region against terrorism.

The US and its partner forces have carried out large-scale strikes against Islamic State (IS) group targets in Syria, the US Central Command (Centcom) has announced.

US President Donald Trump directed the strikes, part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, as a retaliation for IS's deadly attack on US forces in Syria on December 13, Centcom reported on X.

The strikes aimed to combat terrorism and safeguard US and partner forces in the region. Centcom emphasized, 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.

Over 90 precision munitions were deployed against more than 35 targets, involving over 20 aircraft, including F-15Es, A-10s, AC-130Js, MQ-9s, and Jordanian F-16s, as stated by an official to CBS News.

The specific locations targeted and details of any casualties remain unclear.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remarked, We will never forget, and never relent, regarding the military action. Operation Hawkeye Strike was initially announced after an IS gunman ambushed US soldiers in Palmyra on December 13, killing two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter.

Hegseth described the operation as a declaration of vengeance, underlining unwavering US resolve to defend its citizens.

Prior to the recent airstrikes, US forces had killed or captured nearly 25 IS members during 11 missions from December 20 to December 29, according to Centcom.

On December 19, the operation commenced with a massive strike against IS, utilizing fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery to hit over 70 targets across central Syria.

Despite a decline in power, the IS group continues to engage in attacks primarily against Kurdish-led forces in northeastern Syria as of 2025.

Syria continues to be in a fragile state following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, which ended a 13-year civil war.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has served as the country's president since his rebel group ousted Assad, maintaining control amidst ongoing instability.