President Trump authorized “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” unleashing a devastating campaign of large-scale retaliatory strikes against ISIS targets in Syria on January 10. The action was ordered in direct response to the December 13 ambush that killed two Iowa National Guard soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter in Palmyra, Syria, sending an “unmistakable message” that attacks on American personnel will be met with overwhelming force.
Story Highlights
- Operation Hawkeye Strike launched by Trump after ISIS killed two Iowa National Guard soldiers and civilian interpreter.
- Large-scale airstrikes hit multiple ISIS targets across Syria on January 10, marking major escalation.
- Defense Secretary Hegseth declares “We will never forget, and never relent” in response to terrorist attack.
- Coalition forces killed 7 ISIS members and captured 18 in initial December operations.
Trump Orders Swift Retaliation for American Deaths
President Trump authorized Operation Hawkeye Strike on December 19, 2025, as direct retaliation for a December 13 ISIS ambush in Palmyra, Syria. The terrorist attack killed Iowa National Guard Sergeants Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and William Nathaniel Howard, along with a U.S. civilian interpreter. CENTCOM announced the operation represents an “ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism” and protect American forces stationed abroad.
Massive Strikes Devastate ISIS Networks
U.S. and coalition forces conducted large-scale strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria on January 10, 2026, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The coordinated assault targeted ISIS personnel and weapons caches, building on earlier December operations that eliminated seven terrorists and captured eighteen others. Jordan provided crucial assistance during the initial phases, demonstrating strong international support for eliminating the ISIS threat.
Clear Message to Terrorists Worldwide
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized American resolve through his social media declaration: “We will never forget, and never relent.” CENTCOM reinforced this deterrent message, stating “if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world.” This represents a significant shift from previous administrations’ hesitant approach to confronting Islamic terrorism in the region.
The strikes mark a new phase in post-caliphate anti-ISIS operations, demonstrating Trump’s commitment to protecting American service members from terrorist threats. Unlike the territorial ISIS of 2014-2019, these desert-based cells operate through ambushes and targeted killings, requiring sustained pressure to prevent future attacks on U.S. forces and allies operating in the fragmented Syrian landscape.
Watch the report: US strikes Syria: Military video shows strike targeting Islamic State militants
Sources: