US Military Launches Massive Strikes Against Islamic State in Syria

Extensive Attacks in Syria

American military forces, alongside partner forces, have conducted significant strikes against targets of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, according to an announcement made by the U.S. Central Command (Centcom). President Donald Trump ordered these strikes on Saturday as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, in response to a deadly IS attack on American forces in Syria that occurred on December 13.

The strikes were carried out to combat terrorism and protect American and partner forces in the region. "Our message remains clear: if you harm our forces, we will find you and eliminate you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice," Centcom stated.

American and partner forces launched over 90 precision munitions against more than 35 targets, utilizing more than 20 aircraft, a CBS News official reported. Among the aircraft involved were F-15E, A-10, AC-130J, MQ-9, and Jordanian F-16s. Details about the locations of the attacks and any potential casualties are still unclear.

"We will never forget and we will never be kneecapped," wrote Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on X on Saturday, referring to the military action. The Trump administration first announced Operation Hawkeye Strike in December after an IS attacker killed two American soldiers and an American civilian translator in an ambush in Palmyra.

"This is not the beginning of a war - it is a statement of vengeance," Hegseth stated during the operation's announcement. "The United States of America, under President Trump's leadership, will never hesitate and will never be kneecapped in defending its people."

Before the recent strikes on Saturday, American forces killed or captured nearly 25 IS members in 11 missions between December 20 and 29, according to Centcom. In the first mission of the operation, conducted on December 19, American and Jordanian forces executed a "massive strike" against the IS group, using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery to hit "over 70 targets across multiple locations in central Syria."

Syria remains 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. Although IS has been weakened in Syria, the organization remains active, particularly conducting attacks against Kurdish-led forces in the northeast in 2025.