The United States military, alongside allied forces, has executed a significant series of strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets throughout Syria. This large-scale action is a direct response to a deadly attack on US and Syrian personnel in Palmyra last month, which resulted in the deaths of three Americans.
Retaliation for Palmyra Attack
The operation, named Operation Hawkeye Strike, was launched on Saturday, 10 January. According to a statement from US Central Command on X (formerly Twitter), the strikes targeted ISIS facilities across Syria. This military response follows the 13 December attack in Palmyra, where a lone ISIS gunman killed two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter.
The historic city of Palmyra, home to UNESCO-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
This latest round of aerial assaults is not an isolated action. The US and Jordan conducted a previous wave of strikes as part of the same operation last month, hitting dozens of ISIS targets. Despite being militarily defeated in its territorial caliphate in 2019 by local forces backed by international airpower, ISIS maintains a persistent presence, particularly within Syria's vast desert regions.
The Palmyra incident marked a grim milestone, being the first such fatal attack on US personnel in Syria since the political upheaval and overthrow of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
US Military Footprint in Syria
The ongoing conflict occurs against a backdrop of evolving US policy in the region. Former President Donald Trump frequently expressed scepticism over the American troop presence, initially ordering a withdrawal during his first term before leaving a contingent in place. More recently, the Pentagon announced in April plans to halve US personnel numbers in Syria in the coming months.
Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria, stated in June that Washington ultimately aims to reduce its bases in the country to just one. These strikes underscore the complex and enduring challenge of countering ISIS remnants while the US military's role and footprint continue to be subjects of strategic review.
