The US military says it carried out a series of large-scale airstrikes on January 10 against what it described as Islamic State (ISIS) targets across Syria.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the attacks were launched in response to a deadly incident in Palmyra on December 13, 2025, in which two American soldiers and a US civilian interpreter were killed.
CENTCOM said the strikes were part of “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” a campaign announced in December under the direction of President Donald Trump.
The military said the Palmyra attack was an ambush carried out by an ISIS fighter and has used that claim to justify both the earlier strikes in December and the latest wave of attacks. However, CENTCOM did not provide details about the specific targets hit in Syria.
Despite the US military’s statements, there is little public evidence linking ISIS to the December 13 attack. The group, which often quickly claims responsibility for attacks involving US forces, has not taken credit in the month since the incident occurred.
Syrian officials have said the attack was carried out by a member of Syria’s own security forces. The country’s Interior Ministry stated that the suspect had previously been investigated for possible jihadist links but was still allowed access to US personnel. The attack happened during a meeting between American forces and Syrian security officials.
Syria’s security services include many fighters with Jihadist backgrounds, including individuals linked to Al Qaeda or its former affiliate in Syria, Hayat. Tahrir al Sham. Some figures in Syria’s current leadership are reported to have past ties to Al Qaeda, a group that is hostile to the United States and is also an enemy of ISIS.
Despite these concerns, the Trump administration has chosen to work with Syria’s new leadership. US officials, including Special Envoy Tom Barrack, have said Washington is committed to this approach and does not have an alternative plan for Syria at this time.
