The U.S. military launched Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria on December 19, 2025, targeting Islamic State (ISIS) fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites. The operation, named in honor of the “Hawkeye State” of Iowa—home to two National Guardsmen killed in a recent attack—comes as direct retaliation for an ambush that occurred on December 13 in Palmyra, Syria.
In a forceful statement, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth described the strikes: “Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria,” he wrote.
“This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people. As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you,” Hegseth added.
The strikes hit dozens of suspected ISIS locations across Syria, building on recent counterterrorism efforts. The December 13 attack on U.S. troops, attributed to a lone gunman with alleged ISIS ties, marked the first U.S. fatalities in Syria since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad a year ago. President Trump had previously vowed serious retaliation, emphasizing unwavering defense of American personnel.
