The United States and its allied forces have carried out “large-scale” military strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) positions across Syria, the US military confirmed on Saturday, marking the latest response to a deadly attack last month that killed three Americans.
According to the US military, the strikes were conducted under Operation Hawkeye Strike and targeted ISIS strongholds across multiple locations in Syria. The operation was launched in direct retaliation for a December 13 attack in Palmyra, where two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter were killed.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Palmyra attack was carried out by a lone ISIS gunman. Palmyra, a city known for its UNESCO-listed ancient ruins, was previously held by ISIS during the height of the group’s territorial control.
“The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria and were conducted as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra,” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X.
The United States had earlier carried out a separate round of airstrikes in coordination with Jordan, hitting dozens of ISIS targets as part of the same operation.
The Palmyra incident marked the first deadly attack on US forces in Syria since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The American personnel targeted were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the international coalition established to defeat ISIS after the group seized large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014.
Although ISIS lost its territorial “caliphate” following sustained offensives by local ground forces backed by international airpower, the group continues to maintain an insurgent presence, particularly in Syria’s vast desert regions.
US President Donald Trump, who has long questioned Washington’s military involvement in Syria, previously ordered troop withdrawals during his first term but ultimately retained a US force in the country.
In April, the Pentagon announced plans to halve the number of US troops in Syria, while US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, said in June that the US would eventually reduce its military footprint to a single base.
