CENTCOM details 10 ISIS strikes in Syria after Palmyra

U.S. launched Operation Hawkeye Strike after Palmyra ambush

The United States launched Operation Hawkeye Strike after the Palmyra ambush, a December 13, 2025 attack attributed to ISIS that killed two American soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter, as reported by CBS News. The campaign focuses on ISIS targets in Syria and was framed as retaliatory action tied directly to the ambush.

Officials characterized the operation as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts intended to degrade the group’s networks and deny safe havens. Early statements emphasized retaliation and deterrence rather than an open-ended escalation.

Scope and objectives: CENTCOM strikes ISIS targets in Syria

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), U.S. forces conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria from February 3 to 12, intended to sustain relentless pressure on the group. The release indicated that militants, infrastructure, and weapons sites were among the objectives.

Operational messaging has paired retaliation with prevention, underscoring efforts to limit ISIS’s capacity for plotting and propaganda. “This is not the beginning of a war , it is a declaration of vengeance. Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Immediate impact: 10 strikes hitting over 30 ISIS targets

By concentrating effects across multiple nodes, the strikes are likely to disrupt logistics, degrade weapons stockpiles, and complicate near-term coordination for insurgent cells. However, durability of the impact cannot be confirmed from initial communiqués, and follow-on assessments will determine whether ISIS’s operational tempo meaningfully declines.

The scale itself is a signal: the number of strikes suggests ISIS’s footprint in Syria remains more substantial than some assumed, said Andrew Tabler, a former Syria director during the Trump administration’s first term.

Participants and reactions: Jordan’s role and Syrian government stance

Jordan confirmed that its air force took part, describing aims to eliminate Islamic State positions and prevent extremists from using Syrian territory to threaten neighboring states, according to the Washington Post.

Syria’s foreign ministry reiterated a commitment to eliminate ISIS safe havens and stressed that any foreign military engagement should align with protecting civilians and restoring stability, as reported by the Guardian.

Separately, President Ahmed al‑Sharaa was described by U.S. interlocutors as publicly supportive of the U.S. retaliation and angered by the December ambush, as reported by the Associated Press.