Key Takeaways
- The US has carried out a new round of large-scale attacks against the ISIL group in Syria in response to an ambush that killed three American personnel in Palmyra last month.
- The attacks, which occurred on January 10, 2026, hit multiple ISIS targets across Syria and were carried out alongside partner forces.
- The US military has launched Operation Hawkeye Strike, a campaign aimed at targeting ISIL infrastructure and fighters in Syria.
- The operation has already resulted in the killing or capture of about 25 ISIL fighters, and the arrest of a leading ISIL figure, Taha al-Zoubi.
- The US has around 1,000 troops remaining in Syria, and plans to further reduce its presence in the country.
Introduction to the US Military Strikes
The United States has carried out another round of "large-scale" attacks against the ISIL group in Syria, following an ambush that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter in the city of Palmyra last month. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the attacks, which occurred at about 17:30 GMT, and hit "multiple ISIS targets across Syria". The statement from CENTCOM served as a warning to ISIL, stating that "if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice".
Background to the Attacks
The ambush that prompted the US military response occurred on December 13, and involved a lone gunman who was a member of the security forces. The gunman had been set to be fired due to his hardline views, according to Syria’s Ministry of Interior. The US military launched Operation Hawkeye Strike on December 19, with a large-scale strike that hit 70 targets across central Syria, targeting ISIL infrastructure and weapons. Since the launch of the operation, the US military has killed or captured about 25 ISIL fighters.
US Military Operations in Syria
The US has been involved in military operations in Syria for several years, with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces being the main partner in the fight against ISIL. However, since the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Washington has increasingly been coordinating with the central government in Damascus. Syria joined the global coalition against ISIL after reaching an agreement late last year, when Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House. The US military has around 1,000 troops remaining in Syria, and plans to further reduce its presence in the country.
Operation Hawkeye Strike
Operation Hawkeye Strike is a campaign aimed at targeting ISIL infrastructure and fighters in Syria. The operation has already resulted in significant successes, including the killing or capture of about 25 ISIL fighters, and the arrest of a leading ISIL figure, Taha al-Zoubi. The US military has stated that it will continue to carry out operations against ISIL in Syria, and will work with partner forces to target the group’s infrastructure and fighters. The operation is seen as a significant escalation of the US military’s efforts against ISIL in Syria, and demonstrates the US commitment to defeating the group.
US Policy in Syria
The US policy in Syria has been the subject of debate in recent years, with some arguing that the US should withdraw its troops from the country. US President Donald Trump has long been skeptical of Washington’s presence in Syria, ordering the withdrawal of troops during his first term, but ultimately leaving American forces in the country. However, the US military has stated that it will continue to maintain a presence in Syria, albeit at a reduced level. The US plans to further reduce the number of American personnel in Syria and eventually reduce its bases in the country to one.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the US military has carried out a new round of large-scale attacks against the ISIL group in Syria, in response to an ambush that killed three American personnel in Palmyra last month. The attacks are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, a campaign aimed at targeting ISIL infrastructure and fighters in Syria. The operation has already resulted in significant successes, and demonstrates the US commitment to defeating the group. The US will continue to work with partner forces to target ISIL in Syria, and will maintain a presence in the country, albeit at a reduced level.