U.S. Launches Operation Hawkeye Strike in Largest Airstrikes in Syria Since 2019.

U.S. Central Command announced that US forces launched Operation Hawkeye Strike at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 19, 2025, targeting more than 70 ISIS positions across central Syria. The operation follows an attack on US and partner forces and marks a significant escalation in ongoing US counterterrorism operations in the region.

U.S. Central Command confirmed that American forces commenced a large-scale retaliatory operation against Islamic State strongholds in central Syria at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 19, 2025, acting under direct orders from the Commander in Chief. According to CENTCOM, Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched following an earlier attack on US and partner forces. It involved coordinated airstrikes, helicopter assaults, and artillery fire against more than 70 ISIS positions, with support from Jordanian fighter aircraft.
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A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II taxis on the runway at a forward base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on December 19, 2025, preparing for strike missions over central Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike. (Picture source: U.S. CENTCOM)

According to the U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, the strikes were launched in direct response to the killing of two American soldiers by ISIL near Palmyra just days earlier. The ambush, carried out during a joint patrol in central Syria, marked the deadliest single attack on U.S. forces in the region this year and triggered a swift and overwhelming military response designed to dismantle ISIS infrastructure and reassert U.S. combat presence in the area.

The opening phase of Operation Hawkeye Strike involved a high-volume strike forces consisting of 10 F-15E Strike Eagles from the 391st Fighter Squadron operating from Muwaffaq Al-Salti Air Base in Jordan, six A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from the 75th Fighter Squadron at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and F-16C Block 40s from the 555th Fighter Squadron stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. These aircraft deployed over 100 precision-guided munitions against hardened enemy positions, command centers, vehicle depots, and suspected tunnel networks across Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.

Artillery fire from U.S. ground units positioned in northeastern Syria supported the aerial bombardment, coordinating via advanced targeting networks to isolate high-value targets while minimizing risk to civilian populations. The Jordanian Armed Forces conducted parallel strike missions, adding a regional dimension to the offensive and reinforcing CENTCOM's emphasis on coalition operations.

Over the last six months, U.S. and partner forces have carried out more than 80 counterterrorism operations across Syria and Iraq. These missions have focused on neutralizing ISIS field commanders, disrupting logistics chains, and eliminating cross-border smuggling routes. In the immediate aftermath of the December 13 attack, ten follow-on operations led to the elimination or capture of 23 ISIS fighters, underscoring the persistent tempo of U.S. engagements in the region.

While the scale and coordination of Hawkeye Strike signal a deliberate escalation, the broader strategic context is complex. The operation comes at a time when the U.S. is navigating contentious security arrangements on the ground. Earlier this fall, the administration authorized joint patrols with Syria’s newly restructured General Security Forces, a move that has attracted internal criticism due to the involvement of units now believed to be under the influence of Ahmad al-Sharaa, a controversial figure with documented ties to former Al-Qaeda networks. Though intended to extend operational reach in contested regions, this decision has created friction between tactical gains and long-term strategic coherence.

Nonetheless, the Department of War has confirmed that Operation Hawkeye Strike reflects a renewed readiness to use overwhelming force to deter attacks on American personnel and to prevent ISIS from reestablishing operational sanctuaries. The campaign’s timing and scope were calibrated to send an unambiguous signal that targeted assaults against U.S. forces will be met with immediate and disproportionate retaliation.

Preliminary battle damage assessments indicate significant degradation of ISIS logistical infrastructure and command nodes. Surveillance assets, including ISR drones and satellite reconnaissance platforms, are expected to provide further confirmation in the coming days. The use of multiple aircraft types and joint coordination with regional partners reflects an evolution in U.S. tactical doctrine in Syria, prioritizing rapid deployment and high-intensity strikes with minimal footprint.

Operation Hawkeye Strike also underscores a broader shift in U.S. military posture in the Middle East. While troop levels remain limited, the United States retains the capability to deliver devastating kinetic effects with little advance notice. In an environment where threats evolve faster than alliances solidify, airpower remains the cornerstone of American deterrence strategy.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.