2025–2026 United States airstrikes in Syria

In late 2025 and early 2026, the United States carried out a series of military airstrikes in Syria called Operation Hawkeye Strike. These airstrikes were a response to a terrible attack that happened in December 2025 in Palmyra, Syria. During this attack, a Syrian police officer, who was believed to be working with the Islamic State, hurt and killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter who was helping them.

The United States decided to act strongly to protect its people and show that such attacks would not be accepted. The goal of these airstrikes was to weaken the Islamic State and prevent more harm to innocent people, including U.S. forces. This event showed the ongoing challenges in keeping peace and safety in areas where groups like the Islamic State are active.

Background

See also: US intervention in the Syrian civil war § 2024–present: Post-Assad drawdown

After a serious attack in December 2025, the United States worked with nearby friends to carry out 10 operations. These actions led to the capture or arrest of 23 people thought to be connected to a group called the Islamic State.

Operations

On 19 December 2025, the United States, with help from Jordan, carried out many airstrikes across Syria. They used different aircraft and weapons to hit about 70 targets linked to a group called the Islamic State. This operation was called "Hawkeye Strike" because it needed very careful targeting across a large area.

More airstrikes followed in early 2026. The United States and Jordan continued to target the Islamic State and other groups, using many aircraft and precise weapons. These actions aimed to weaken the group's ability to plan and carry out attacks.

Reactions

State actors

• Jordan said it joined the strikes to stop extremist groups from using areas in Syria to plan attacks on nearby countries and the wider region. This was especially important because the group had been growing stronger again in southern Syria.
• The Syrian foreign ministry promised to keep fighting the group and said it would not allow them to have safe places in Syria. They said they would keep up their military efforts against any threats.
• The United States called the strikes successful. President Donald Trump said they hit the group in Syria that was trying to rebuild after being weakened years before. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the actions were to protect American people and were not the start of a war.

Non-state actors

• The Syrian Democratic Forces praised the U.S. for targeting the group's hideouts in Syria. They said the air support was important to stop the group from rebuilding and causing more harm.

Analysis

Experts say that Syria's president is trying to balance relationships with other countries while keeping support from some strict groups. Some believe these actions show that a certain group is still more active than people thought.