US launches retaliatory strikes in Syria on dozens of ISIS targets

The U.S. military launched retaliatory strikes against dozens of ISIS targets in Syria, according to a statement issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on social media. More than 70 ISIS targets were struck in Friday’s attacks and 100 munitions were used by a mix of fighter jets, attack helicopters and rocket artillery fire, according to U.S. Central Command. Hegseth said "Operation Hawkeye Strike" was carried out in Syria "to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on Dec. 13 in Palmyra, Syria. U.S. Central Command also confirmed in a statement that Jordanian fighter aircraft also participated in Friday’s strikes.

New details from the US military, which says Operstion Hawkeye Strike began at 4pm EST today. Strikes hit 70+ ISIS targets across Syria with 100+ precision munitions and were supported by Jordanian fighter aircraft. pic.twitter.com/HCIkXvxPYH

— Jake Epstein (@byjepstein) December 20, 2025

President Donald Trump said the strikes were "inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible" for the attack. Trump added that the strikes were happening "against ISIS strongholds in Syria" and that Syria’s new government is "is fully in support."

Reports from inside Syria, including the monitoring agency the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported that explosions had been heard in areas of the country. The three fatalities in Saturday’s attack in Palmyra included two Iowa National Guardsmen and a U.S. civilian interpreter. Three other Iowa National Guardsmen were injured in the attack. Friday’s large-scale retaliatory strikes involved F-15 and A-10 fighter jets, Apache attack helicopters and the use of HIMARS rocket artillery, according to a U.S. official, who said they had struck 70 targets, including “ISIS weapon areas and infrastructure in central Syria."