U S Airstrikes Hit ISIS Targets in Syria
The U S military carried out airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria, U S Central Command said, in what officials described as part of a larger counterterror campaign following a deadly attack on American forces in late 2025.
Central Command said the strikes hit ISIS positions across central and eastern Syria. The operation, named Operation Hawkeye Strike, follows a Dec. 13 ambush near Palmyra that killed two U S soldiers and a civilian interpreter.
Operation Context
CENTCOM said the air campaign was aimed at degrading ISIS’s ability to plan and carry out attacks and to protect U S and partner forces in the region. The strikes used multiple aircraft and precision munitions to hit facilities linked to ISIS operatives and infrastructure.
This operation continues a series of actions under Operation Hawkeye Strike, which began in December 2025 with large-scale strikes on ISIS targets in central Syria in response to the Palmyra attack.
What Officials Have Said
A U S military official told CBS News the airstrikes involved more than 90 precision munitions and aircraft including F-15E fighter jets, A-10 attack aircraft, AC-130 gunships, MQ-9 drones and Jordanian F-16s.
Central Command said the U S message to ISIS remains firm and that the strikes are part of a sustained effort to prevent future attacks on U S forces and partners.
Ongoing Military Effort
Approximately 1,000 U S troops remain deployed in Syria as part of ongoing operations against ISIS remnants and to support local partners. The U S continues to coordinate with allies in the region on counterterrorism activities.
