US Military Conducts Extensive Strikes Against Islamic State Targets in Syria

In response to a deadly attack by the Islamic State (IS) that killed two US soldiers on December 13, 2025, the United States military, under the directive of President Trump, has launched extensive airstrikes against IS targets in Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike. The operation involved over 90 precision munitions deployed across more than 35 locations, utilizing more than 25 aircraft, including F-15Es and A-10s. U.S. Central Command (Centcom) emphasized the commitment to retaliate against threats to US forces, highlighting that previous operations had resulted in the capture or death of nearly 25 IS members. Despite these efforts, the situation in Syria remains unstable following the civil war and the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, with IS continuing to pose a threat, particularly to Kurdish forces in the northeast. The US military presence in Syria remains significant as they work to combat the remnants of IS and ensure the safety of their personnel.