Operation Hawkeye Strike: U.S. and Partner Forces Target IS in Syria Following Deadly Ambush

The United States military, in coordination with partner forces, has conducted a series of strikes against Islamic State (IS) group targets in Syria. These operations, named Operation Hawkeye Strike, followed a deadly ambush in Palmyra that resulted in the deaths of two U.S. service members and one American civilian interpreter. The strikes targeted IS infrastructure and weapons sites, utilizing a range of air and artillery assets, and represent ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in the region.

Deadly Ambush on U.S. Personnel in Palmyra

On December 13, an ambush in Palmyra, central Syria, tragically resulted in the deaths of two U.S. soldiers, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, along with a U.S. civilian interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat. Three other U.S. soldiers and several Syrian security forces members sustained injuries during the incident.

U.S. Central Command (Centcom) initially attributed the attack to an Islamic State gunman, who was subsequently killed. However, conflicting reports emerged from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which reported the assailant as a member of the Syrian security forces.

Syria's Interior Ministry spokesperson, Nour al-Din al-Baba, stated the gunman had joined Syria's internal security forces two months prior as a base security guard and had been reassigned due to suspicions of IS affiliation. The individual reportedly opened fire during a joint meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials after clashing with Syrian guards.

No group officially claimed responsibility for this specific ambush, though IS has claimed two subsequent attacks on Syrian security forces, one of which resulted in four Syrian soldier fatalities in Idlib province. The attack occurred in an area reportedly not under Syrian government control, as U.S. personnel were concluding a "key leader engagement" related to counterterrorism operations.

Operation Hawkeye Strike: A Coordinated Response

The U.S. military initiated Operation Hawkeye Strike in direct response to the December 13 ambush.

Initial Large-Scale Strikes

On December 19, U.S. and Jordanian forces conducted a large-scale strike targeting over 70 IS sites across central Syria with more than 100 precision munitions. The operation involved a diverse array of assets, including F-15 Eagle jets, A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack aircraft, AH-64 Apache helicopters, Jordanian F-16 fighter jets, and HIMARS rocket artillery.

Ongoing Missions and Expanding Targets

Between December 20 and December 29, U.S. forces conducted 11 missions as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which reportedly resulted in the killing or capture of nearly 25 IS group members.

Further operations from February 3 to February 12 saw U.S. aircraft carry out 10 strikes against over 30 IS targets, including weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure. Overall, since the December 13 ambush, U.S. forces have struck over 100 IS targets and reportedly killed or captured at least 50 IS members. Later strikes involved over 20 aircraft, including F-15Es, A-10s, AC-130Js, MQ-9s, and Jordanian F-16s, delivering over 90 precision munitions at more than 35 targets.

Official Responses and International Relations

U.S. officials outlined the objectives and context of the military actions, alongside responses from international partners.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the operation aimed to eliminate IS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites. He described the action as "not the beginning of a war" but a "declaration of vengeance" and affirmed that the U.S. would "never hesitate and never relent to defend our people," warning that those who target Americans would be pursued. Hegseth also indicated that partner forces had eliminated the gunman responsible for the December 13 attack.

President Donald Trump's Authorization

U.S. President Donald Trump authorized the strikes, stating they targeted IS elements. He expressed support for Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, indicating al-Sharaa was "fully in support" of the U.S. effort and had expressed strong disapproval of the attack, suggesting retaliation would follow. President Trump also issued a warning against future attacks on American personnel and met with the families of the deceased at Dover Air Force Base.

Centcom's Stern Warning

U.S. Central Command (Centcom) affirmed that the strikes were conducted to combat terrorism and protect American and partner forces.

Centcom issued a statement that read, "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."

Syrian Government's Acknowledgment

Syria's foreign ministry issued a statement via X acknowledging the necessity of international cooperation against terrorism and reaffirming Syria's commitment to combating IS. Syrian state television reported that U.S. strikes impacted rural areas in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces, and the Jabal al-Amour area near Palmyra, targeting sites identified as IS weapons storage and operational headquarters. Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's government and army have been referred to as "apostates" in IS statements, despite historical antagonism between al-Sharaa and IS. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later commended Damascus for its involvement in the anti-IS coalition.

Broader Context and Regional Dynamics

These military actions unfolded amidst evolving strategic shifts and regional developments.

U.S. Strategic Presence and Counterterrorism Efforts

U.S. troops have maintained a presence in Syria since 2015, primarily assisting in training other forces for counter-IS operations. While a U.S.-backed alliance of Syrian fighters announced IS had lost its last territorial holdings in 2019, the group continues to conduct isolated attacks. The United Nations estimates IS still maintains 5,000 to 7,000 fighters across Syria and Iraq. The Trump administration had previously indicated a strategic refocus towards the Western Hemisphere, involving deployments in the Caribbean Sea and a pressure campaign against Venezuela, with a reallocation of resources from the Middle East, including the repositioning of an advanced U.S. aircraft carrier.

Evolving Role of the Syrian Government

Reports regarding the Syrian government's status and its partnership with the U.S. vary across sources. Some reports indicate the strikes occurred approximately one year after the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the cessation of U.S. sanctions against the country. Other reports refer to a "December 2024 fall of Assad" and state that, since November, Syria formally joined the global coalition against IS, leading the U.S. to identify Damascus as its primary anti-IS partner. Historically, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had been the primary U.S. partner against IS in Syria.

Detainee Transfers and Shifting Bases

The U.S. military has been progressively moving male detainees identified as IS fighters from northeastern Syria. On Friday, the U.S. announced the transfer of 5,700 such detainees to Iraq for trial, a move requested by Baghdad. Concurrently, the U.S. military is reducing its troop numbers in Syria, having evacuated its al-Tanf base this week after nearly a decade; the Syrian Defense Ministry announced government forces had taken control of the base.

The Situation at Al-Hawl Camp

Last month, Damascus reportedly assumed control of significant IS prisons and camps during its offensive against the SDF, an operation in which the SDF reportedly lost 80% of its territory. This includes the al-Hawl camp.

Humanitarian organizations reported that the foreigners' annex of al-Hawl camp, which had housed approximately 6,000 women and children from 42 nations, was almost entirely emptied over the last month, with their current location or responsible parties remaining unknown.