U.S. Launches Major Retaliatory Airstrikes Against ISIS Targets Across Syria
Damascus, Sunday, 11 January 2026.
In a significant escalation, U.S. forces deployed over 90 precision munitions against ISIS targets yesterday, continuing Operation Hawkeye Strike in retaliation for the recent deaths of American personnel.
Operational Specifics of the Saturday Offensive
Yesterday, Saturday, January 10, 2026, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, operating in coordination with coalition partners, executed a series of large-scale airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets across Syria [2][6]. This significant military engagement involved the deployment of more than 20 aircraft, which delivered a total of over 90 precision munitions against more than 35 specific targets [3][5]. This equates to a heavy saturation of force, averaging approximately 2.571 munitions per target, designed to dismantle key infrastructure. An official confirmed that the aerial armada included U.S. Air Force F-15Es, A-10 Warthogs, AC-130J gunships, and MQ-9 Reapers, alongside Jordanian F-16s, underscoring the multinational commitment to the operation [3].
Retaliation for Palmyra Ambush
These strikes constitute the latest phase of “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” a directive launched on December 19, 2025, by President Donald Trump [2][5]. The campaign serves as a direct and ongoing retaliation for a deadly ISIS ambush carried out on December 13, 2025, in Palmyra, Syria [2]. That attack tragically resulted in the deaths of two American soldiers—Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of the Iowa National Guard, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29—as well as U.S. civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat [8]. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has framed these counter-offensives in stark terms, characterizing the operation not merely as a tactical response but as a “declaration of vengeance,” asserting that the United States will “never relent” in its defense of American personnel [3][5].
Sustained Pressure and Previous Missions
The bombardment on Saturday is part of a sustained punitive strategy rather than an isolated event. Prior to this weekend’s operation, U.S. forces had already conducted 11 separate missions between December 20 and December 29, which resulted in the death or capture of nearly 25 ISIS operatives [3]. The initial wave of retribution on December 19 was similarly massive, targeting over 70 locations including weapons caches and logistical hubs [3][8]. CENTCOM has emphasized that these actions are part of an “ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism,” warning that any harm inflicted upon U.S. warfighters will be met with lethal force, regardless of where the perpetrators attempt to evade justice [2].
Geopolitical Context in a Transitioning Syria
This escalation in kinetic activity occurs against the backdrop of a fragile political transition in Syria. Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the nation is currently governed by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose administration has been cooperating with U.S. forces in counter-terrorism efforts [8]. Despite the change in local leadership, the U.S. maintains a force posture of approximately 1,000 troops in the region, distributed between northeastern outposts and the Al-Tanf garrison in the southeast, to ensure ISIS does not capitalize on regional instability [8]. President Trump has publicly supported the interim government, clarifying his view that the new Syrian leadership bore no responsibility for the December attacks [8].