US hits dozens of ISIS targets in Syria — in retaliatory strikes for killing of 2 American soldiers
The United States carried out a new wave of large-scale airstrikes against multiple ISIS targets in Syria, killing or capturing at least 50 militants, U.S. military officials announced Saturday. The operation marked the latest retaliation for the Dec. 13, 2025 ambush that killed three Americans, including two U.S. soldiers.
More than 90 precision munitions were launched by 20 U.S. aircraft against at least 35 sites during the strikes, conducted under Operation Hawkeye. U.S. Central Command said 10 strike missions between Feb. 3 and Feb. 12 destroyed weapons storage facilities and other ISIS infrastructure across Syria.
Unclassified video released with the announcement showed rockets slamming into targets, sending debris and smoke into the air. Aircraft involved included F-15Es, A-10s, AC-130Js, MQ-9 drones, and Jordanian F-16s, according to CBS.
The latest attacks represent the third round of U.S. retaliation since the December ambush. American forces struck more than 70 ISIS targets on Dec. 19, less than a week after the killings, followed by another 35-target strike on Jan. 10 under the Trump administration, according to US Central Command.
“The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria as part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region,” CENTCOM said in a statement posted on X last month. “Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice.”
Operation Hawkeye began Dec. 19, 2025, and is part of President Donald Trump’s pledge to retaliate against ISIS for the ambush.
The Dec. 13 attack killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of the US National Guard, both from Iowa, along with U.S. civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
“We will never forget, and never relent,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote on X after the Jan. 10 strikes.
Separately, the Syrian Defense Ministry said government forces had taken control of a key base in eastern Syria that had been operated by U.S. troops for years, NBC reported Thursday.
Officials said no U.S. casualties were reported in the latest strikes.
With wires
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