Washington, D.C. — January 11, 2026
The United States launched large-scale retaliatory military strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria on January 10, following a deadly ambush that killed two U.S. service members and an American civilian last month, U.S. officials confirmed.
The operation, known as Operation Hawkeye Strike, began at approximately 12:30 p.m. ET and targeted multiple ISIS facilities across Syrian territory. The strikes were conducted by U.S. forces in coordination with regional partner forces, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Response to Deadly Palmyra Ambush
The military action follows a December ambush near Palmyra, Syria, in which two U.S. soldiers from the Iowa National Guard—Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard—were killed. An American civilian interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat, also died in the attack.
President Donald Trump authorized the retaliatory strikes after intelligence assessments indicated that ISIS continues to plot attacks against U.S. personnel operating in the region.
Targeting ISIS Infrastructure
U.S. officials said the goal of the operation is to disrupt and dismantle ISIS command structures, logistics hubs, and operational planning centers, reducing the group’s ability to conduct further attacks.
Approximately 1,000 U.S. troops remain deployed across Syria and Iraq, primarily in advisory and counterterrorism roles.
“Any harm to U.S. warfighters will be met with decisive action at a time and place of our choosing,” CENTCOM said in a statement, emphasizing that the United States will respond forcefully to threats against its forces worldwide.
Regional Coordination Expands
The strikes follow a previous U.S.-led operation on December 19, 2026, which targeted 70 ISIS sites across Syria and Iraq.
Notably, coordination efforts now include the Syrian government in Damascus, which formally joined the global anti-ISIS coalition after the removal of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024. Syrian security forces announced they arrested ISIS’s Levant military leader one day before the latest U.S. strikes.
No U.S. Casualties Reported
U.S. officials confirmed that no American casualties were reported during Operation Hawkeye Strike. Damage assessments are ongoing, and officials said further actions would depend on evolving intelligence.
