The U.S. military on Friday launched a wave of airstrikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria, retaliating after two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an attack last weekend near the central city of Palmyra, U.S. officials said.
The New York Times reported that the large-scale operation hit multiple ISIS sites across central Syria.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on social media that the strikes were aimed at eliminating Islamic State fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites, framing the response as “a declaration of vengeance,” while trying to tamp fears that the United States is entering war.
Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria.
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) December 19, 2025
This is not the beginning of a war — it is a…
“As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you,” he wrote.
Social media accounts in Syria reported explosions across the country, per The New York Times.
The escalation comes as the U.S. footprint in Syria has been shrinking, with the Pentagon earlier this year signaling a consolidation that could bring the total number of U.S. troops there to under 1,000.
U.S. Central Command has warned that ISIS remains a persistent threat even after losing most of its territory, saying U.S. and partner forces have carried out nearly 80 operations in Syria since July, and that ISIS has inspired at least 11 plots or attacks against targets in the United States over the past year.