US launches ‘large-scale’ attacks against ISIL in Syria after deadly ambush

In response to an ISIL ambush in Palmyra last month that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, the US military launched another round of "large-scale" attacks against ISIL targets across Syria on Saturday around 17:30 GMT. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes, dubbed Operation Hawkeye Strike, were carried out with partner forces. The US military launched Operation Hawkeye Strike on December 19, with a large-scale strike that hit 70 targets across central Syria that had ISIL infrastructure and weapons. CENTCOM stated the attacks aimed to send a message that the US will find and kill those who harm its warfighters. Since the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Washington has increasingly been coordinating with the central government in Damascus.

The US military, under the direction of former President Trump, conducted large-scale strikes against Islamic State (IS) group targets in Syria on Saturday as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike. These strikes, announced by US Central Command (Centcom), were in retaliation for the IS group's deadly attack on US forces in Syria on December 13th. The operation involved over 20 aircraft and more than 90 precision munitions against over 35 targets. The US and partner forces aim to combat terrorism and protect their personnel in the region. Prior to Saturday's strikes, US forces had already killed or captured nearly 25 IS members in multiple missions since December 20th, including a "massive strike" on December 19th with Jordanian forces.

In response to a December 13th attack in Palmyra, Syria, that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter, the US and allied forces conducted "large-scale" strikes against ISIS targets throughout Syria on Saturday. The strikes, part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, were launched in direct retaliation for the deadly ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces. The US personnel targeted were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the international effort to combat ISIS. While ISIS was defeated in the region, they maintain a presence in Syria, particularly in the desert. The Palmyra attack was the first such incident since the overthrow of Syria’s longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

On January 4, 2026, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that British and French aircraft conducted a joint strike on an underground facility north of Palmyra, Syria, believed to be used by ISIL (ISIS) to store weapons. The ministry stated the area was uninhabited by civilians. This operation occurred amidst increased activity against ISIL, including recent US military actions in Syria that killed or captured approximately 25 ISIL operatives in late December, following the death of US soldiers and an interpreter. Simultaneously, Türkiye has arrested over 100 ISIL suspects in nationwide raids, indicating a widening crackdown as the group shows signs of resurgence after a period of relative inactivity.

From December 20-29, 2025, the US military conducted 11 missions in Syria targeting ISIL (ISIS) operatives. US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that at least seven ISIL members were killed and the remainder, totaling about 25 individuals, were captured. The operations also resulted in the elimination of four ISIL weapons caches. These actions followed the killing of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter on December 13, and subsequent US strikes against ISIL six days later. The US currently maintains approximately 1,000 soldiers in Syria and is cooperating with the Syrian Democratic Forces and the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa against ISIL remnants.

The US military has announced that it and its partner forces have conducted 11 missions in Syria between December 20 and 29, resulting in the termination or capture of nearly 25 ISIS figures. The operations also led to the elimination of four ISIS weapons caches and the destruction of ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites across central Syria. The missions followed a massive strike on December 19, known as Operation Hawkeye Strike, which targeted over 70 targets with more than 100 precision munitions. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that at least seven ISIS members were killed during these operations. The goal of the military actions is to disrupt and ultimately defeat ISIS, a terrorist organization that has inspired plots against the US in recent years.