US Launches Operation Hawkeye Strike Against ISIS Targets Across Syria

US-Led Coalition Launches Operation Hawkeye Strike Against ISIS in Syria

The United States, in coordination with allied forces, has carried out extensive airstrikes across Syria under Operation Hawkeye Strike , intensifying counter-terrorism efforts against the Islamic State. The strikes, confirmed by US Central Command , were executed around midday local time and represent a major escalation following a deadly attack on American personnel late last year.

Scope and Execution of the Air Campaign

According to US Central Command, coalition aircraft targeted multiple ISIS positions spread across central and eastern Syria. The operation was described as highly targeted and intelligence-led, focusing on command centres, logistical hubs, and operational assets used by the extremist group.

Military officials stated that the objective of the strikes was to disrupt ISIS’s ability to plan and execute attacks, particularly against US and coalition forces deployed in the region. The operation forms part of a broader strategy aimed at preventing the group from exploiting security vacuums to reassert itself.

Catalyst: The Palmyra Attack

Operation Hawkeye Strike was initiated on December 19, 2025, in direct response to an ISIS ambush carried out on December 13 in the Palmyra region. The attack resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, while several others were wounded.

The incident marked the first fatal assault on US personnel in Syria since the fall of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, highlighting the persistence of ISIS as a security threat despite losing territorial control in earlier years.

Strategic Signal from Washington

US Central Command emphasised that the operation sends a clear deterrent message to extremist organisations operating in the region. Officials underscored that attacks on American forces would be met with swift and decisive military responses, irrespective of geography.

The strikes also reflect close coordination with regional and international partners. Previous joint operations, including cooperation with Jordan , underline efforts to maintain sustained pressure on ISIS networks across borders.

Wider Counter-Terrorism Efforts

The latest air campaign follows an earlier wave of strikes that reportedly hit nearly 70 ISIS targets across Syria. Parallel to these actions, Syrian authorities have announced the capture of a senior ISIS military commander overseeing Levant operations, suggesting complementary ground-level counter-terrorism measures.

US and coalition officials maintain that continuous military pressure, intelligence sharing, and regional collaboration remain essential to preventing ISIS from regrouping and launching future attacks.

Key Exam-Focused Points

• Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched on December 19, 2025 , targeting ISIS infrastructure in Syria.

• An ISIS ambush in Palmyra on December 13, 2025 , killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter.

• US Central Command oversees American military operations in the Middle East region.

• This was the first deadly attack on US forces in Syria since Assad’s overthrow in 2024.

• Coalition-based counter-terrorism remains central to preventing ISIS resurgence.