US Launches Retaliatory Strikes Against ISIS in Syria

The United States military has launched a series of retaliatory strikes against ISIS in Syria following a deadly ambush earlier this month. The operations, which began immediately after the attack on December 13, have resulted in the death or capture of dozens of fighters. US Central Command reported that these actions are part of an intensified effort to dismantle terror networks in the region.

Between December 20 and 29, US and partner forces carried out 11 missions specifically targeting the Islamic State. These operations were supported by massive airstrikes that occurred just prior to the ground missions. The military confirmed that these combined efforts have significantly degraded ISIS capabilities in the area.

On December 19, US officials announced the commencement of Operation Hawkeye Strike. This operation involved American forces, supported by the Jordanian military, bombing more than 70 ISIS targets across Syria. The strikes utilized over 100 precision munitions launched from a variety of air and ground platforms.

The specific assets deployed included F-15E fighter jets, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft, and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers. According to the military, these airstrikes successfully pummeled ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed the operation via a social media post, stating that 'lots' of fighters were killed and that more would be hunted down. He emphasized the nature of the response, saying, 'This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance.'

The aerial campaign was immediately followed by aggressive ground operations. US Central Command reported that from December 20 to 29, forces carried out 11 missions in Syria, killing or capturing approximately two dozen fighters and destroying four weapons caches. These missions were conducted in coordination with partner forces.

This surge in activity is a direct response to an ambush on December 13, where a gunman killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, while wounding three other soldiers. In the immediate aftermath of that ambush, US and partner forces executed 10 operations across Syria and Iraq, leaving 23 Islamic State fighters dead or detained.

President Donald Trump had vowed retaliation following the December 13 attack. The US military presence in Syria has been active for over a decade, with roughly 900 American troops currently stationed at various bases throughout the country to work with partner forces.

The Islamic State remains a significant threat, having inspired at least 11 terror plots or attacks against targets in the US over the past year. In response to this persistent danger, American and Syrian partner forces have killed or captured more than 320 fighters in counterterrorism operations over the last 12 months.

Adm. Brad Cooper, the Centcom commander, reaffirmed the US commitment to regional stability. In a statement released on Tuesday, he outlined the ongoing mission parameters.

'Continuing to hunt down terrorist operatives, eliminate ISIS networks, and work with partners to prevent an ISIS resurgence makes America, the region, and the world safer,' Adm. Cooper said. The US military continues to maintain a presence in the region to curb the threat posed by the terror group.