US Launches Major Retaliatory Strikes Against ISIS in Syria

Operation Hawkeye Strike Targets ISIS Across Syria

The United States has conducted large-scale retaliatory airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets across Syria, marking the second major operation in response to a deadly December ambush that killed three Americans. The strikes, carried out on January 10, 2026, involved multiple aircraft and precision munitions targeting over 35 ISIS locations throughout Syria.

'Our message remains clear: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you, anywhere in the world,' stated U.S. Central Command in their official declaration following the operation.

Response to Deadly Ambush

The latest strikes come in response to a December 13, 2025 attack in Palmyra, central Syria, that killed two U.S. soldiers from Iowa - Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard - along with American civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat. Three additional service members were wounded in the ambush, which U.S. officials attribute to ISIS militants.

This represents the second wave of retaliatory strikes under what the Pentagon has dubbed 'Operation Hawkeye Strike.' The initial response occurred on December 19, 2025, when U.S. forces targeted approximately 70 ISIS locations in central Syria.

International Coalition Involvement

The January 10 operation involved multiple coalition partners, with Jordanian forces confirmed to have participated alongside U.S. military assets. While the Pentagon hasn't disclosed all participating nations, the strikes represent continued international cooperation against the terrorist organization.

'This coordinated action demonstrates our unwavering commitment to degrading ISIS capabilities and protecting our forces in the region,' a senior defense official told reporters on background.

ISIS's Persistent Threat

Despite losing its territorial caliphate in 2019, ISIS maintains an estimated 6,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq according to United Nations assessments. These forces operate primarily as 'sleeper cells' - individuals who maintain normal civilian lives while remaining ready to conduct terrorist operations when activated.

The group has been attempting to exploit political instability following the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Security analysts note that while ISIS lacks the territorial control it once enjoyed, it remains capable of conducting deadly attacks against military and civilian targets.

U.S. Military Presence in Syria

Approximately 900 U.S. troops remain deployed in eastern Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the international coalition's mission to prevent ISIS resurgence. The operation has been transitioning since 2025, with plans to maintain counter-ISIS operations in Syria through at least September 2026.

The recent strikes highlight the ongoing threat posed by ISIS remnants and the continued U.S. commitment to counterterrorism operations in the region, even as the mission evolves toward more advisory and assistance roles with local partners.