The United States military, alongside allied forces, has executed a significant series of airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) positions throughout Syria. This decisive action comes as a direct response to a deadly assault on US and Syrian personnel in Palmyra last month, which resulted in the deaths of three Americans.
Retaliation for Palmyra Attack
According to a statement released by US Central Command on X, formerly Twitter, the large-scale strikes on 10 January were part of 'Operation Hawkeye Strike'. The operation was launched specifically in retaliation for the 13 December attack in Palmyra, where a lone ISIS gunman killed two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter.
The area around Palmyra, famed for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient ruins, was once a stronghold for jihadist fighters. The personnel targeted were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the international coalition's mission to combat the Islamic State group.
Ongoing Campaign Against ISIS Remnants
This recent bombardment follows a previous round of US and Jordanian strikes last month, which hit dozens of ISIS targets as part of the same campaign. While ISIS was largely defeated after its 2014 land grab in Syria and Iraq by local forces backed by international air power, the group maintains a persistent presence, particularly within Syria's vast desert regions.
The Palmyra incident marked a grim milestone, being the first such attack since the overthrow of Syria's long-time ruler, Bashar al-Assad, in December 2024.
US Military Presence in Syria
The latest offensive unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing debate regarding the US military footprint in Syria. Former President Donald Trump frequently expressed scepticism about the deployment, having ordered a withdrawal during his first term that was never fully realised.
More recently, the Pentagon announced in April plans to halve the number of US personnel in Syria in the coming months. Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria, stated in June that Washington intended to eventually reduce its bases in the country to just one.
These developments highlight the complex and enduring challenge of eradicating the threat posed by Islamic State militants, even as the international coalition continues its targeted operations to degrade their capabilities.
