The United States has launched a major wave of military strikes on ISIL positions in Syria, President Donald Trump announced, days after a deadly attack killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter near Palmyra.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump said the strikes were a direct response to the killing of American personnel, vowing “serious retaliation” against ISIL fighters operating in the region. He said the operation targeted key ISIL strongholds but did not provide immediate details on casualties.
Trump added that Syria’s current government — formed after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024 — had given its backing to the US action. Syria’s Foreign Ministry echoed that position, reaffirming its commitment to eliminating ISIL and calling on the United States and coalition partners to support ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
Operation Hawkeye Strike Targets ISIL Infrastructure
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation, named Operation Hawkeye Strike, focused on ISIL fighters, weapons depots, and operational infrastructure across central Syria. He described the mission as a decisive response aimed at weakening ISIL without escalating into a broader war.
US officials said the strikes were large in scale, hitting dozens of ISIL-linked targets. Some officials, speaking anonymously, indicated that further strikes could follow depending on battlefield assessments.
According to U.S. Central Command, the operation involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery, with more than 100 precision-guided munitions deployed. The Jordanian Armed Forces also provided support with fighter aircraft.
ISIL Remains a Threat Despite Years of Defeat
The strikes follow last weekend’s attack in Palmyra, where an assailant targeted a joint US-Syrian convoy, killing three Americans and wounding three others. US officials blamed ISIL and vowed swift retaliation.
Around 1,000 US troops remain stationed in Syria to prevent ISIL from regaining ground. Although the group lost territorial control in 2018, it continues to carry out sporadic attacks.
Washington and Damascus have increased cooperation in recent months, seeing the fight against ISIL as essential to Syria’s post-war recovery and long-term regional stability.