US Launches “Massive” Retaliatory Strikes against IS Sites in Syria

On December 20, 2025, the United States military executed “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” a large-scale aerial and artillery assault against Islamic State (IS) strongholds across central Syria. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation utilized over 100 precision munitions to destroy 70 targets, including weapons caches and command infrastructure.

The mission was a direct response to a lethal December 13 ambush in Palmyra that claimed the lives of two US soldiers, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, along with a civilian interpreter. President Donald Trump, speaking shortly after the mission, characterized the strikes as “very serious retaliation,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the operation as a “declaration of vengeance,” warning that the U.S. would ruthlessly hunt anyone who targets Americans.

This military action marks a significant shift in regional dynamics, as the new Syrian government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, reportedly gave its full support to the American operation. Following the 2024 fall of the Assad regime, the Sharaa administration has pivoted toward a “new era” of cooperation with Washington to stabilize the country. While the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported at least five IS members killed, including a specialized drone cell leader, the full extent of the casualties remains under investigation. Despite IS losing its territorial “caliphate” years ago, the UN estimates that up to 7,000 fighters remain active in the region.

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The inclusion of the Royal Jordanian Air Force in the strikes further underscores a growing regional coalition aimed at preventing the resurgence of extremist groups in the post-Assad landscape.

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