WASHINGTON: The United States military launched extensive airstrikes targeting Islamic State (IS) group sites across Syria, as announced by the US Central Command (Centcom). This operation, called Operation Hawkeye Strike, was spurred by a lethal ambush in December that claimed the lives of two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.

According to Centcom, over 90 precision-guided munitions were directed towards more than 35 IS-linked targets. More than 20 aircraft participated, including F-15E fighter jets, A-10 attack aircraft, and drones, showcasing the US's advanced combat capabilities. In their statement, Centcom emphasized the retaliatory nature of this operation. “Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world,” they stated, underscoring the commitment to protect US personnel.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated this point, emphasizing through social media the nation’s resolve not to forget the fallen and to remain vigilant against IS threats. The latest airstrikes come after a series of operations following the Palmyra incident, during which nearly 25 IS members have been captured or killed. Centcom framed Operation Hawkeye Strike not as a broader war, but as a targeted effort to dismantle terrorist networks in the region.

Syria currently remains unstable following a protracted civil war, which officially saw the regime of President Bashar al-Assad collapse in December 2024. While the country is now led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, the threat from IS continues, particularly in the northeastern regions where Kurdish-led forces have been targeted. US officials maintain that these strikes are crucial to ensuring that IS does not exploit Syria’s ongoing political turmoil to regain strength.