U.S. Launches Airstrikes on ISIS in Syria Following Attack on American Troops

The U.S. military launched a new wave of precision airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria this week, in direct retaliation for the brutal killing of two Iowa National Guard soldiers and their American interpreter by an ISIS militant in December. The strikes signal a serious escalation under the Trump administration’s Operation Hawkeye Strike, and a message that the United States will respond with force to any attack on American personnel.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the strikes began at approximately 12:30 p.m. ET, targeting multiple ISIS locations across Syria. Officials noted the mission was part of a broader effort to eliminate the Islamic State’s remaining strongholds and prevent further attacks against U.S. forces and allies in the region.

“These strikes are part of a sustained campaign to hold ISIS accountable and eliminate its operational capacity,” a CENTCOM spokesperson said in a statement.

The air campaign comes amid a diplomatic breakthrough in Damascus. U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced he met with new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and members of the transitional government.

“Today, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, I met with Syria’s new leadership to discuss the country’s future,” Barrack said.

“We welcome Syria’s historic transition and extend our support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.”

This marks a new chapter in U.S.-Syria relations, as the Trump administration backs the new leadership following the collapse of the Assad regime. Barrack emphasized the need for stability in the region and ongoing cooperation in eliminating extremist networks.

Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched December 19, is the most decisive U.S. military campaign in Syria since 2020, and reflects the administration’s return to clear, forceful foreign policy.

• The operation was launched in direct response to an ISIS ambush in Palmyra that killed two American soldiers and one interpreter.

• Targets include weapons depots, command centers, and logistics nodes used by ISIS fighters across eastern and central Syria.

• The strikes are intended to cripple ISIS’s ability to organize, fund, or carry out further attacks in the region.

Unlike the chaotic and passive approach seen during the Biden administration, Trump’s Pentagon is acting swiftly and decisively. National security officials say additional strikes may follow if further threats are detected.

This renewed offensive demonstrates that under President Trump, American lives are not bargaining chips they are sacred, and any attack on them will be met with overwhelming force.

Meanwhile, the administration’s support for Syria’s peaceful transition marks a rare opportunity to stabilize the Middle East without endless nation-building, by backing a legitimate government committed to rooting out terror.

America is once again projecting strength, not confusion and enemies of freedom are on notice.

Subscribe to our newsletter for real-time updates on national security, foreign policy, and America’s return to global leadership.