U.S. Launches Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria After Attack Kills Three Americans

The United States has launched a large‑scale strike against ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites in Syria, officials said Friday, after a deadly attack on U.S. and partner forces last week that killed three Americans.

U.S. Military Strike

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, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X. Additional information about the strike and total casualties was not immediately available, but Hegseth said that “lots” of “enemies” were killed.

President Trump’s Statement

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible,” he added. “We are striking very strongly against ISIS strongholds in Syria, a place soaked in blood which has many problems, but one that has a bright future if ISIS can be eradicated.”

Casualties and Wounded

The attack on December 13 in Palmyra killed two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian U.S. interpreter, an incident the Department of Defense said occurred during a counter‑terrorism engagement. Three other U.S. personnel were wounded in the same attack. The soldiers “were conducting a key leader engagement” in “support of ongoing counter‑ISIS operations,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said on X.

Statements from White House and Pentagon

White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said Friday that “President Trump told the world that the United States would retaliate for the killing of our heroes by ISIS in Syria, and he is delivering on that promise,” referencing the recent strike.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. forces carried out Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria in response to an attack that killed three Americans.
• President Trump announced retaliation and described the strike as a strong response to ISIS.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth confirmed that many ISIS fighters were killed, though exact numbers were not released.

The U.S. military’s action underscores its commitment to counter‑ISIS operations and its willingness to respond swiftly to attacks on its personnel in Syria.