The US military has launched a major round of airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets across Syria, hitting back hard after the group killed three Americans last month.
On Saturday (January 10, 2026), US Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out large-scale precision strikes as part of the ongoing Operation Hawkeye Strike. This operation was personally directed by President Donald Trump and kicked off in December 2025, right after an ISIS gunman ambushed US forces in Palmyra, killing two American soldiers from the Iowa National Guard and a civilian interpreter.
The latest wave involved more than 20 aircraft—including F-15E Strike Eagles, A-10 Warthogs, AC-130 gunships, MQ-9 drones, and Jordanian F-16s—firing over 90 precision-guided munitions at more than 35 ISIS targets. The goal? To dismantle terrorist infrastructure, stop future attacks, and keep American and partner forces safe in the region.
CENTCOM made the message crystal clear: “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.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that resolve on social media, posting simply: “We will never forget, and never relent.”
This isn’t a new war—it’s straight-up retaliation and a strong signal of vengeance, as Hegseth described when the operation first launched. Earlier phases of Hawkeye Strike, starting December 19, saw US and Jordanian forces hammer more than 70 targets with over 100 munitions, plus follow-up raids that killed or captured nearly 25 ISIS members.
The strikes come at a tense time in Syria. The country is still fragile after rebel forces—led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham—overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, ending a brutal 13-year civil war. Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani) now leads as president during this transitional period.
While ISIS has been greatly weakened over the years, the group still lingers, mostly launching attacks against Kurdish-led forces in the northeast.
Details on the exact locations of Saturday’s strikes and any casualties remain unclear for now.