The United States has launched what officials describe as “massive” military operations in Syria aimed at eliminating ISIS fighters, following a deadly attack that killed three Americans earlier this month.

According to U.S. Central Command, the operation—named Operation Hawkeye Strike—began on December 19, 2025, and involved coordinated U.S. and Jordanian forces conducting large-scale strikes against ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites across central Syria. The action comes in direct response to a December 13 ambush near Palmyra that killed two U.S. service members and one civilian contractor.

CENTCOM confirmed that more than 70 ISIS targets were struck using over 100 precision-guided munitions. The operation employed fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery systems, marking one of the most extensive U.S. military actions against ISIS in the region in recent years.

Video footage released alongside the announcement shows nighttime combat operations, including aircraft launches from undisclosed bases, infrared helicopter footage, and multiple explosions striking designated targets. U.S. officials stated the strikes were designed to degrade ISIS’s ability to plan and execute future attacks against American and allied forces.

Military leaders emphasized that the operation was carefully planned to minimize civilian harm while delivering a decisive blow to ISIS networks operating in Syria’s central desert region. CENTCOM said the strikes targeted command centers, weapons depots, logistics hubs, and active fighter positions.

The Trump administration has reiterated that attacks on U.S. personnel will be met with overwhelming force, signaling that American forces will continue aggressive counterterrorism operations to protect U.S. interests and prevent ISIS from reestablishing territorial or operational control in the region.