The United States, alongside allied forces, has executed a significant series of air strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) positions throughout Syria. This military action is a direct retaliation for a deadly assault in December that resulted in the deaths of three American personnel.
Response to a Deadly Assault
The catalyst for the latest strikes was an attack on 13 December in the historic city of Palmyra. According to US authorities, a lone ISIS gunman targeted US and Syrian forces, killing two American soldiers and a US civilian interpreter. The area, famed for its Unesco-listed ancient ruins, was once a stronghold for jihadist fighters.
In a statement released on X, US Central Command confirmed the operation, stating: "The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria" as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched specifically in response to the Palmyra incident.
A Sustained Campaign Against ISIS
This recent bombardment is not an isolated event. It follows a previous round of strikes conducted by the US and Jordan last month as part of the same ongoing campaign, which hit dozens of ISIS targets.
The American personnel attacked in Palmyra were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the international coalition's mission to combat the Islamic State. While ISIS was largely defeated after its 2014 territorial surge in Syria and Iraq, the group maintains a persistent presence, particularly in Syria's vast desert regions.
The Complex US Presence in Syria
The US military footprint in Syria remains a contentious issue. Former President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed scepticism and initially ordered a withdrawal during his first term, though troops ultimately remained.
More recently, the Pentagon announced in April plans to halve US personnel numbers in Syria in the coming months. Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria, indicated in June that Washington aims to eventually reduce its bases in the country to just one.
The Palmyra attack marked a grim milestone, being the first such fatal incident for US forces since the overthrow of Syria's long-time ruler, Bashar al-Assad, in December 2024. The latest large-scale strikes underscore the continued, volatile threat posed by ISIS remnants despite their loss of territorial control.
