Washington / Damascus : The United States has carried out a fresh round of large-scale retaliatory airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria, intensifying its military campaign following a deadly ambush last month that killed two American soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were launched at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday and targeted multiple Islamic State positions across Syria. The operation was conducted in coordination with partner forces, marking one of the most extensive U.S.-led military actions in the country in recent months.
The Jordanian Armed Forces later confirmed their participation, underscoring the growing regional role of Arab partners in counterterrorism operations against the extremist group.
Retaliation for Deadly Palmyra Ambush
Saturday’s strikes are part of a broader U.S. military response to an Islamic State attack near Palmyra in December, in which two American service members and a civilian interpreter were killed. The victims were identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of the Iowa National Guard, along with Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a U.S. civilian interpreter supporting American forces.
The ambush, described by U.S. officials as coordinated and deliberate, prompted a renewed focus on Islamic State sleeper cells that continue to operate in Syria’s central and eastern deserts, exploiting security gaps and rugged terrain.
“Our message remains strong,” CENTCOM said in a statement following the strikes. “If you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice.”
Operation Hawkeye Strike Expands
The Trump administration has designated the ongoing military response as Operation Hawkeye Strike, a campaign aimed at degrading Islamic State leadership, logistics networks, and operational capability across Syria.
The operation began on December 19 with a massive strike package that hit roughly 70 targets in central Syria, including weapons depots, command centers, and militant infrastructure used by the group. Saturday’s attacks represent a continuation and expansion of that effort, signaling Washington’s intent to maintain sustained military pressure rather than conduct isolated reprisals.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized a policy of rapid and overwhelming retaliation in response to attacks on U.S. personnel, a stance echoed by senior Pentagon officials in recent briefings.
Shifting Partnerships on the Ground
While the U.S. military did not disclose the full list of partner forces involved in the latest strikes, Washington’s approach in Syria has been evolving. For years, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) served as the primary U.S. partner in the fight against the Islamic State.
However, following political upheaval in Damascus and the removal of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, U.S. officials have increasingly coordinated with Syria’s central government. Syria has since formally joined the global coalition against the Islamic State, opening new channels for intelligence sharing and operational coordination.
This shift reflects a broader recalibration of U.S. strategy, aimed at preventing the Islamic State from exploiting transitional instability while navigating complex regional dynamics.
Arrests and Ongoing Threat
One day before the U.S.-led strikes, Syrian authorities announced the arrest of the military leader overseeing Islamic State operations in the Levant, a development U.S. officials described as significant but insufficient on its own to neutralize the threat.
Despite years of territorial defeats, Islamic State remnants continue to carry out ambushes, assassinations, and hit-and-run attacks, particularly in sparsely populated regions. U.S. and coalition officials warn the group remains capable of lethal violence and requires constant military and intelligence pressure.
As Operation Hawkeye Strike continues, American commanders have made clear that further action remains on the table. The latest strikes, they say, are intended not only to avenge the Palmyra attack but to deliver a broader deterrent message to militant groups operating across the region.
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