ALBAWABA - The U.S. has launched a significant military operation against ISIS positions in Syria. This comes just days after an attack near Palmyra, which claimed the lives of two American soldiers and an interpreter, and left three others injured.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed on Friday that American forces had initiated Operation Hawk Eye. He characterized the operation as a direct reaction to the December 13 attack on U.S. personnel. The mission's goal, he explained, is to take apart ISIS fighters, their infrastructure, and the networks that store their weapons. "Under President Trump's leadership, the United States will never hesitate to defend its people," he posted on X, noting that a substantial number of ISIS members had already been taken out.
President Donald Trump subsequently verified that the United States was launching "very powerful strikes" against ISIS positions within Syria. He characterized the campaign as a robust answer to ISIS's assaults on American forces, further asserting that the Syrian government, under President Ahmed Al-Shar’a, was "fully supportive" of the U.S. operation.
Syria's Foreign Ministry released a statement, reiterating its dedication to fighting ISIS and ensuring the group doesn't find sanctuary again. The statement urged the United States and its coalition allies to assist Damascus in its fight against terrorism.
According to a Syrian security source speaking to Al Jazeera, the U.S.-led international coalition launched airstrikes on Friday. These strikes targeted ISIS positions scattered across the Homs desert, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa.
U.S. officials, speaking to The New York Times, reported that airstrikes targeted numerous ISIS locations. These included weapons storage facilities and structures used for operational purposes. The work stoppages are anticipated to persist for a number of hours.
The Wall Street Journal's report detailed the operation's use of F-15s, A-10s, Apache helicopters, and HIMARS rockets. According to officials quoted by CNN, the U.S., in conjunction with allied forces, had conducted ten raids following the Palmyra attack. These operations reportedly led to the deaths or capture of roughly 23 fighters.
Subsequently, U.S. Central Command verified that aircraft, artillery, and helicopters had hit over 70 targets. The operation involved the use of more than 100 precision-guided munitions. CENTCOM further reported that Jordanian fighter jets were involved in the strikes.
The assault on Palmyra has set off a chain reaction.
The operation was launched following an ambush near Palmyra earlier this week. An ISIS-linked gunman had opened fire during a meeting involving U.S. troops and local security officials. The area has been a persistent stronghold for ISIS sleeper cells, which continue to carry out attacks throughout Syria's eastern and central deserts.
American military personnel have been engaged in Syria since 2014, contributing to the international coalition's efforts to combat ISIS. Syria officially became a member of the coalition on November 12, 2025, marking its entry as the 90th partner.
