U.S. launches airstrikes in Syria

The United States has carried out airstrikes in Syria targeting alleged Islamic State positions in response to the killing of American personnel earlier this month, President Donald Trump has said.

In a statement on Friday, Trump said the strikes followed a December 13 attack near Palmyra that left two US servicemen and a civilian interpreter dead. He described the operation as a serious act of retaliation, stressing it was not the start of a wider war.

Trump said US forces were hitting ISIS strongholds and warned that those responsible for killing Americans would face decisive consequences.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the operation, known as ‘Hawkeye Strike’, targeted ISIS fighters, infrastructure and weapons sites. He said the strikes were intended as punishment rather than a declaration of war, adding that any group attacking Americans would be relentlessly pursued.

US Central Command said American forces launched a large-scale assault using fighter jets, attack helicopters and other military assets. The Pentagon has not released details on the number of targets hit or casualties, saying assessments are ongoing.

CENTCOM forces launched fighter jets, attack helicopters and other assets to conduct the large-scale strike. pic.twitter.com/3szSo2u5rm

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 19, 2025

The strikes followed an ambush near Palmyra in which a gunman opened fire on a patrol involving US forces. Washington has blamed ISIS for the attack and warned that further assaults on American troops would lead to additional military action.

US forces have remained in Syria since the Obama administration as part of counterterrorism operations. Trump said the country’s new authorities were aware of and supported the retaliatory strikes, and warned that any threat to American lives would be met with overwhelming force.