U.S. forces, working alongside partner militaries, carried out large-scale strikes against multiple Islamic State targets across Syria on Friday, according to U.S. Central Command.
The strikes took place at around 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time and form part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, a campaign launched in December following a deadly attack on U.S. and Syrian personnel in Palmyra, according to CENTCOM.
U.S. Central Command said the operation was initiated “in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on Dec. 13, 2025”. That attack resulted in the deaths of “two American soldiers and one U.S. civilian interpreter”, the command stated.
According to CENTCOM, the latest strikes were intended to degrade ISIS activity across Syria and prevent further attacks on coalition forces. The command said the operation reflects “our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region.”
CENTCOM added that U.S. and coalition forces “remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States” and warned that those responsible for attacks on U.S. personnel would continue to be targeted.
The command said the strikes were conducted under the authority of President Trump and added that operations against ISIS in Syria are ongoing as part of wider counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
