US CENTCOM launches wave of strikes against ISIS targets in Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday evening that it had conducted dozens of strikes across Syria in response to the killing of two American soldiers last week – an attack that the U.S. government blamed on the Islamic State. 

Tonight, U.S. and Jordanian forces struck 70+ ISIS targets in Syria with 100+ precision munitions. Peace through strength. pic.twitter.com/XWWvfqBBFT

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 20, 2025

CENTCOM forces struck over 70 targets across Syria, using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and guided munitions at the start of an operation which the military called “Operation Hawkeye.” Jordanian forces joined the U.S. in the strikes, as Islamic State forces have also threatened Jordanian border outposts. 

“This operation is critical to preventing ISIS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the U.S. homeland,” said CENTCOM commander, Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, following the strikes. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region.” 

“This is not the beginning of a war – it is a declaration of vengeance,” U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement posted to social media. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people.” 

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.

This is not the beginning of a war — it is a…

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) December 19, 2025

The U.S. updated Israel ahead of the strikes, according to a report in Walla News. 

The strikes on sites belonging to the Islamic State came about a week after the shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, which was carried out by a father and son who displayed an ISIS flag and had other terror paraphernalia. 

While ISIS never claimed responsibility for the shooting, the terror group released a statement welcoming the attack. Australian authorities say that the two attackers may have been trained during their November visit to the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

The Philippine government has denied claims that the two received terrorist training during the trip. The country has long contended with Islamic insurgent groups on the island.

While no longer controlling significant amounts of territory in Syria, the Islamic State continues to plan and carry out major attacks around the world. In 2024, the IS claimed responsibility for an attack in Moscow that killed 143 people. 

A U.S. official said that strikes on Islamic State sites could continue for several weeks. U.S. President Donald Trump blamed the killing of the two service members on the Islamic State, despite reports that the shooter was a member of a militia employed by the Syrian government’s security forces. 

“Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible,” Trump posted on Truth Social. 

He also reaffirmed his support for Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, whom he said was “working very hard to bring Greatness back to Syria.”  

“We are striking very strongly against ISIS strongholds in Syria, a place soaked in blood which has many problems, but one that has a bright future if ISIS can be eradicated. The Government of Syria, led by a man who is working very hard to bring Greatness back to Syria, and is fully in support,” Trump continued. “All terrorists who are evil enough to attack Americans are hereby warned - YOU WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE IF YOU, IN ANY WAY, ATTACK OR THREATEN THE U.S.A.” 

Several hundred American soldiers have remained stationed in Syria, following the international coalition efforts against the Islamic State from 2014 to 2019.