U.S. Launches Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria Following Deadly Attack on Troops

The United States carried out a series of airstrikes across central Syria on December 19 in response to an ambush that killed two American soldiers last week. The operation, named Operation Hawkeye Strike, targeted Islamic State (ISIS) positions, weapon caches, and support facilities.

According to U.S. Central Command, more than 70 sites were struck using jets, helicopters, and artillery, with over 100 munitions deployed. Jordanian forces assisted in the coordinated mission. Officials emphasized that the strikes were a measured response, designed to prevent further attacks on U.S. troops rather than signal the start of a wider conflict.

The ambush in Palmyra on December 13 also killed one interpreter and marked the first deadly attack on U.S. forces in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in late 2024. Roughly 1,000 American troops remain in Syria, conducting counter-terrorism operations.

U.S. authorities blamed ISIS for the ambush, noting that the group continues to operate small cells despite losing its territorial control years ago. The strikes increase pressure on Syria’s interim government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who supported U.S. action and vowed to eliminate ISIS from the country.

Officials described Operation Hawkeye Strike as a focused, tactical response aimed at safeguarding U.S. forces while maintaining regional stability. Analysts say the operation underscores ongoing security challenges in central and eastern Syria, where ISIS networks remain active.