The United States military executed large-scale airstrikes on over 70 ISIS targets across Syria on Friday, December 19, 2025, in a operation dubbed OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE. Coordinated by US Central Command, the strikes involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery systems, supported by Jordanian aircraft, targeting Islamic State fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct retaliation for a deadly attack on American personnel.

The operation was triggered by an assault on December 13 in Palmyra, where two US Army soldiers and an interpreter were killed during counterterrorism activities, with the perpetrator neutralized on site. President Donald Trump attributed the incident to ISIS remnants, distinguishing it from actions by Syria's new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has pledged cooperation in combating the terrorist group.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the strikes as a "declaration of vengeance," stating that numerous enemies were eliminated and emphasizing that such responses would continue against threats to US forces. Detailed imagery released by the Pentagon showcased advanced weaponry, including F-15E Strike Eagles dropping precision-guided munitions, Apache helicopters launching Hellfire missiles, and HIMARS rocket systems in action.

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President Trump issued a stern warning to terrorists, declaring that any attack or threat against the United States would be met with unprecedented force, vowing attackers would be "hit harder than you have ever been hit before." He noted full support from the Syrian government for the operation, aligning with recent diplomatic engagements, including al-Sharaa's White House visit and sanctions relief.

This action marks another significant military engagement under the Trump administration, reinforcing ongoing counterterrorism efforts amid shifting dynamics in post-Assad Syria, where ISIS seeks to exploit instability in uncontrolled areas like Palmyra.

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