Updated Dec 19, 2025 - Politics & Policy

U.S. conducts strikes on ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for killing of American soldiers

Barak Ravid

man stands in black coat — President Trump speaks to reporters after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Dec. 17, 2025, following a ceremony honoring two Iowa National Guard members and a translator killed in an attack in Syria. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/ AFP

The U.S. military conducted air strikes on Friday against dozens of ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for the attack that killed three U.S. soldiers near the city of Palmyra last weekend, the U.S. military central command said.

Why it matters: Operation "Hawkeye Strike" is the most wide-ranging U.S. military operation against ISIS in Syria in several years.

The U.S. operation also takes place amid a historic rapprochement between the Trump administration and the new Syria government.
President Trump said on Friday that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa supports the operation.

Driving the news: The Strike started around 4pm ET. Many of the targets attacked were in northeast Syria near the city of Deir ez-Zur close to the border with Iraq and near the cities of Raqqa in northern Syria and Homs in the center of the country.

The U.S. military central command (CENTCOM) said in a statement that among the 70 targets which were attacked were ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites in Syria.
U.S. fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery were used during the strike, CENTCOM said and added the more than 100 precision munitions were used in the strike.
CENTCOM said the Jordanian Armed Forces also supported the U.S. operation with fighter aircraft.
According to CENTCOM the U.S. "and partner forces" conducted 10 operations in Syria and Iraq against ISIS since the December 13 attack on the U.S. soldiers "resulting in the deaths or detention of 23 terrorist operatives."
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the strikes were aimed at "eliminating ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites".

"This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance", Hegseth said.

What he's saying: President Trump said the strikes are a "very serious retaliation on the murderous terrorists responsible" for the killing of the three U.S. soldiers in Syria.

Trump said Syria has many problems, but can also have a bright future if ISIS is eradicated. "The Government of Syria, led by a man who is working very hard to bring Greatness back to Syria", Trump added.
"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.", Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details throughout.

<br/>

Add Axios on Google

U.S. conducts strikes on ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for killing of American soldiers

What to read next