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United States forces recently launched Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria, hammering ISIS targets in a large-scale assault provoking broader questions about the terror cell’s impact on U.S. national security.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Dec. 19 strike targeted Islamic State networks and infrastructure through coordinated strikes aimed at preventing future attacks on American and partner forces. The announcement of the military operation, part of an ongoing counterterrorism campaign, did not include a full accounting of targets hit, casualties, or whether additional phases are planned.
“This operation reinforces our commitment to defeating ISIS wherever it attempts to operate,” a CENTCOM spokesperson told Military.com, referring additional questions to previously released statements and official materials.
Key details for public consumption have remained few and far between. CENTCOM has not released casualty figures, identified specific ISIS leaders targeted, or confirmed whether coalition partners participated in the strikes.
A Defense Department spokesperson declined to provide additional information and referred further questions to CENTCOM.
Military.com reached out to the White House National Security Council, the State Department, U.S. Air Forces Central, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, and congressional defense and foreign affairs committees for comment.
ISIS Still a Formidable Terror Cell
The continued U.S. role in Syria remains a flashpoint, especially after a deadly attack tied to ongoing counter ISIS operations raised fresh questions about mission risk and force protection.
On Dec. 19, CENTCOM forces struck more than 70 targets at multiple locations across central Syria with fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery. U.S. forces were supported by Jordanian Armed Forces’ fighter aircraft. The operation employed more than 100 precision munitions targeting known ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites, according to CENTCOM.
“This operation is critical to preventing ISIS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the U.S. homeland,” Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, said in a statement. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region.”
ISIS has maintained a low-level presence throughout Syria in recent years, carrying out periodic attacks while attempting to rebuild networks amid instability in the country. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that sustained pressure is necessary to prevent the group from exploiting security gaps and reemerging as a broader regional threat.
Senior U.S. defense officials described Operation Hawkeye Strike as part of years-long efforts to keep ISIS off balance and prevent the group from regrouping or planning new attacks inside Syria.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pointed to the strikes as a clear show of resolve, signaling that the U.S. intends to keep steady pressure on ISIS even as Washington juggles multiple global crises.
The U.S. has maintained a military presence in Syria for years as part of its counter-ISIS mission, working alongside partner forces to disrupt militant cells and prevent the group from regaining territory. That mission has carried risk, notably in the form of deadly violence that occurred during counter operations in central Syria that killed U.S. service members and an American civilian.
New Video Invites More Questions
Newly released footage released from the Pentagon shows U.S. forces striking ISIS positions across several locations in Syria, with aircraft hitting targets from the air as explosions ripple across the ground below.
The strikes appear closely timed and coordinated, giving the impression of a fast-moving operation designed to hit hard and leave little room for ISIS to regroup or maneuver.
The strike visuals match a familiar pattern from recent months, when the U.S. used airpower to blunt ISIS activity inside Syria.
Even so, the visuals only go so far and aforementioned information remains limited. Also, no civilian casualty assessment has been released. Independent monitoring organizations said it is too early to verify claims tied to the operation.
However, military officials frequently limit details following strike operations, citing operational security and the need to complete battle damage assessments before publicly releasing information. That process and timeframe varies.
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22 Comments
It’s concerning that the announcement of the military operation did not include a full accounting of targets hit, casualties, or whether additional phases are planned, which raises questions about the transparency of the operation.
The fact that the U.S. has been conducting operations in Syria for several years now raises questions about the long-term strategy for defeating ISIS and stabilizing the region.
According to CENTCOM, the operation employed more than 100 precision munitions, but the lack of information on casualties and specific ISIS leaders targeted is concerning and warrants further investigation.
I’m curious to know more about the specific targets hit during the operation and whether additional phases are planned, as the current information available is limited.
The article quotes Adm. Brad Cooper as saying that the operation will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and partners, which highlights the importance of the mission.
The fact that the operation was part of an ongoing counterterrorism campaign suggests that the U.S. will continue to play a significant role in Syria for the foreseeable future.
I’d like to know more about the specific ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites that were targeted during the operation, as this information could provide insight into the terror cell’s current capabilities.
The recent Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria, which targeted over 70 ISIS targets, raises questions about the effectiveness of such large-scale assaults in preventing future attacks on American and partner forces.
The lack of information on the operation’s impact on ISIS’s ability to operate in Syria is notable, and it will be interesting to see how the terror cell responds to the assault in the coming weeks and months.
As someone who has followed the conflict in Syria, I’m skeptical about the long-term impact of such operations on the terror cell’s ability to operate and inspire attacks.
It’s worth noting that the operation was conducted on December 19, 2025, which suggests that the U.S. is committed to continuing its counterterrorism efforts in Syria into the new year.
The use of artillery and attack helicopters in the operation demonstrates the complexity and scale of the assault, which is notable given the limited information available on the targets hit.
The article mentions that the operation was conducted in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, which highlights the ongoing nature of the counterterrorism campaign in Syria.
I’m impressed by the scale and complexity of the operation, which demonstrates the U.S. military’s ability to conduct large-scale assaults against terrorist targets.
The fact that CENTCOM has not released casualty figures or confirmed whether coalition partners participated in the strikes raises concerns about transparency and accountability.
The operation’s focus on preventing ISIS from rebuilding networks amid instability in Syria is crucial, given the terror cell’s ability to inspire terrorist plots and attacks against the U.S. homeland.
The article mentions that ISIS has been attempting to rebuild networks amid instability in Syria, which highlights the need for sustained pressure on the terror cell to prevent it from regaining strength.
The fact that ISIS has maintained a low-level presence throughout Syria in recent years, carrying out periodic attacks, suggests that the U.S. role in Syria will continue to be a flashpoint for debate.
The use of Jordanian Armed Forces’ fighter aircraft in the operation demonstrates the importance of coalition partnerships in counterterrorism efforts.
Adm. Brad Cooper’s statement that the operation is critical to preventing ISIS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the U.S. homeland highlights the importance of sustained pressure on the terror cell.
The White House National Security Council’s and congressional defense and foreign affairs committees’ silence on the operation is notable, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to questions about the mission’s risks and force protection.
It’s worth noting that the U.S. Air Force played a significant role in the operation, with A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft being prepared for flight from a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.