> At a Glance
> – President Trump ordered large-scale strikes on ISIS in Syria
> – Over 35 targets hit with 90+ precision munitions
> – Response to December ambush that killed 2 US soldiers
> Why it matters: America’s deadliest response yet signals renewed escalation against ISIS
The United States unleashed its most punishing military response against ISIS in Syria since December, hitting more than 35 targets with over 90 precision munitions in a single operation that involved over 20 aircraft.
Operation Hawkeye Strike
The strikes came exactly one week after President Trump vowed retaliation for an ISIS ambush near Palmyra that killed two American soldiers and wounded three others. Defense officials confirmed the operation targeted ISIS infrastructure and weapons systems across multiple locations.
Captain Tim Hawkins told NBC News:
> “We struck more than 35 targets with over 90 precision-guided weapons. This wasn’t random retaliation-it was surgical destruction of their capabilities.”
The Presidential Order
Trump announced the strikes publicly after declaring the December ambush “an ISIS attack against the U.S.” The Defense Department emphasized this was part of ongoing operations, not the start of new hostilities.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X:
> “We will never forget, and never relent.”
The message matched CENTCOM’s public statement warning ISIS: harm American warfighters anywhere, and the U.S. will find and eliminate those responsible.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Targets struck | 35+ |
| Precision munitions | 90+ |
| Aircraft involved | 20+ |
Timeline of Response
- Dec 13: ISIS ambush kills 2 US soldiers
- Dec 19: President orders retaliation plan
- Dec 26: Large-scale strikes executed
Key Takeaways
- America’s deadliest ISIS response yet signals renewed intensity
- Over 90 precision munitions hit more than 35 targets
- Defense officials warn this is surgical elimination, not random strikes
