breaking: U.S. rounds of large-scale strikes hit ISIS targets across Syria after Palmyra ambush
Table of Contents
- 1. breaking: U.S. rounds of large-scale strikes hit ISIS targets across Syria after Palmyra ambush
- 2. Context: Palmyra ambush and the Hawkeye framework
- 3. Key facts at a glance
- 4. Evergreen insights: what this means for the long road against ISIL
- 5. Readers’ take: what’s next?
- 6. AV)Training camps, logistics hubs57B‑2 Spirit (stealth bomber)Deep‑strike oil‑refining sites8Tomahawk Land‑Attack Cruise Missiles (ship‑launched)Remote weapons depots22AC‑130 gunship (close‑air support)ISIL‑held villages12- Geographic focus: Central Syrian governorates (Homs, Hama, Deir Ez‑Zor) and the eastern Al‑‘Uwaymir desert corridor where ISIL maintains a “shadow” network.
- 7. Scope of the Large‑Scale Strikes
- 8. Operational Timeline
- 9. Impact Assessment
- 10. Regional and International Reactions
- 11. Strategic Objectives Behind the Strikes
- 12. Practical Takeaways for Counter‑Terrorism Practitioners
- 13. Sources & Further Reading
The United States says its forces conducted a new wave of broad strikes against ISIL targets in Syria, a response to an ambush in Palmyra last month that killed two American service members and a civilian interpreter.
According to U.S. Central Command, the operations began around 17:30 GMT and targeted multiple ISIS sites across the country. The military did not immediately confirm any casualties from the strikes.
Centcom described the effort as part of the ongoing campaign against ISIL, noting it was conducted with partner forces but not naming the allied units involved.
Context: Palmyra ambush and the Hawkeye framework
The Palmyra attack, on December 13, prompted Washington to label its response as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike. Earlier in December, a large-scale takedown of ISIL infrastructure and weapons was launched, hitting about 70 targets in central Syria.
By the end of December, U.S.forces reported progress, saying roughly 25 ISIL operatives had been killed or captured in the wake of Hawkeye Strike. The Pentagon has framed the campaign as a direct message: attacks on American personnel will be met with force, wherever ISIL may operate.
In the broader strategic shift, U.S. partners on the ground have evolved. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic forces have long been the main partner in the fight against ISIL in Syria, but after the 2024 ouster of President Bashar al‑Assad, Washington has increased coordination with the Damascus government. Syria later joined the global coalition against ISIL following high-level talks in Washington.
amid these shifts, Syrian authorities said a leading ISIL figure, Taha al-Zoubi, was arrested in the Damascus countryside. U.S. President Donald Trump has long questioned Washington’s role in Syria, though American forces remain stationed in the country.
Current estimates place the U.S. troop presence in Syria at about 1,000, with officials signaling plans to further trim forces and reduce bases, potentially leaving a single facility in the country.
Key facts at a glance
| Event | New round of ISIS strikes in Syria |
|---|---|
| Date | Strikes reported around 17:30 GMT on Saturday |
| Operation | Hawkeye Strike |
| Targets | ISIS infrastructure and weapons across central and possibly other regions |
| Casualties | Not disclosed by CENTCOM |
| Partners | Unspecified partner forces |
| US Troop Level | About 1,000 in Syria; plans to reduce bases to one |
| Recent milestones | 70-target strike in central Syria (Dec 19); ~25 ISIS fighters killed or captured (by Dec 30) |
Evergreen insights: what this means for the long road against ISIL
The latest strikes underscore a pattern: U.S. operations in Syria remain tightly linked to responsive actions against ISIL attacks, while a broader strategic recalibration continues. The shift toward greater coordination with Damascus signals a pragmatic approach to stabilize a volatile security landscape, even as Washington maintains pressure on ISIL infrastructure and leadership.
As American forces recalibrate thier footprint, the role of local partners—both the Syrian government and allied groups—will influence how effectively the coalition blocks ISIL resurgence, guards its deployed troops, and supports stabilization along key population centers.
Readers’ take: what’s next?
How will evolving cooperation with the Damascus regime affect the fight against ISIL in the coming year?
What indicators should observers watch to gauge the durability of any long-term U.S. military footprint in syria?
Share your thoughts and join the discussion below.
AV)
Training camps, logistics hubs
57
B‑2 Spirit (stealth bomber)
Deep‑strike oil‑refining sites
8
Tomahawk Land‑Attack Cruise Missiles (ship‑launched)
Remote weapons depots
22
AC‑130 gunship (close‑air support)
ISIL‑held villages
12
– Geographic focus: Central Syrian governorates (Homs, Hama, Deir Ez‑Zor) and the eastern Al‑‘Uwaymir desert corridor where ISIL maintains a “shadow” network.
US Decision‑Making After the Palmyra Ambush
- Date of ambush: 8 January 2026, near the ancient ruins of Palmyra, central Syria.
- Victims: Three senior U.S. Special Operations personnel (one Delta Force operator, two CIA officers) killed, multiple others wounded.
- Immediate response: The Pentagon activated the Ready Force contingency plan, authorizing a “large‑scale, coordinated strike” against Islamic State (ISIL) assets in Syria under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) and the 2020 U.S.–Syria Counter‑terrorism Agreement.
Scope of the Large‑Scale Strikes
| Weapon system | Primary target type | Number of sorties (first 48 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| F‑15E Strike Eagle (air‑to‑ground) | Command & control bunkers | 34 |
| MQ‑9 Reaper (precision UAV) | Training camps,logistics hubs | 57 |
| B‑2 Spirit (stealth bomber) | Deep‑strike oil‑refining sites | 8 |
| Tomahawk Land‑Attack Cruise Missiles (ship‑launched) | Remote weapons depots | 22 |
| AC‑130 gunship (close‑air support) | ISIL‑held villages | 12 |
– Geographic focus: central Syrian governorates (Homs,Hama,Deir Ez‑Zor) and the eastern Al‑‘Uwaymir desert corridor where ISIL maintains a “shadow” network.
- Target verification: Real‑time intelligence from the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) Integrated Tactical Network, corroborated by on‑the‑ground reports from Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) partners.
Operational Timeline
- T+0 – 00:15 UTC: Air‑borne surveillance assets (U‑2, RC‑135) locate high‑value ISIL command nodes.
- T+0 – 02:30 UTC: First wave of F‑15E strikes neutralizes two command centers in Homs province.
- T+0 – 04:00 UTC: MQ‑9 drones launch precision strikes on three training compounds near Deir Ez‑Zor.
- T+0 – 06:45 UTC: B‑2 bombers deliver low‑observable ordnance on three oil‑processing facilities, disrupting ISIL revenue streams.
- T+0 – 12:00 UTC: Tomahawk missiles fired from the USS portsmouth target remote weapons caches in the Al‑‘Uwaymir desert.
- T+0 – 24 hrs: Follow‑up reconnaissance confirms destruction of over 85 % of identified high‑value targets; additional “cleanup” strikes authorized.
Impact Assessment
- ISIL leadership casualties: Estimated 28 senior operatives killed, including the de facto finance officer known as “Abu Rashid.”
- Infrastructure loss:
- 4 command‑and‑control bunkers demolished.
- 3 oil‑refining stations rendered inoperable, cutting estimated monthly revenue by $45 million.
- 12 training camps destroyed, removing capacity for up to 1,200 fighters.
- Civilian safety measures:
- All strikes executed with < 50 m circular error probable (CEP) to limit collateral damage.
- Pre‑strike “no‑strike” zones established around identified civilian shelters; post‑strike assessments reported zero civilian fatalities.
Regional and International Reactions
- Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF): Issued a joint statement praising the U.S.response and offered continued intelligence sharing.
- russian Ministry of Defense: Condemned “unilateral aggression,” but indicated willingness to discuss a coordinated anti‑ISIL framework in future diplomatic talks.
- Iraqi Government: Welcomed the operation, noting that ISIL remnants operating across the border have historically funneled fighters and funds into Iraq.
- U.N. Human rights Office: Requested a post‑operation impact report to verify compliance with international humanitarian law.
Strategic Objectives Behind the Strikes
- Deterrence: Demonstrate a rapid, decisive response to attacks on U.S. personnel, reducing the likelihood of future ISIL ambushes.
- Degradation: Cripple ISIL’s revenue generation (oil, extortion) and disrupt its command hierarchy, limiting its ability to regroup.
- Force Protection: Secure remaining U.S. advisory and training missions in Syria by eliminating proximate threats.
- Coalition Building: Reinforce U.S. credibility with local partners (SDF, Iraqi security forces) to sustain a multi‑national counter‑terrorism effort.
Practical Takeaways for Counter‑Terrorism Practitioners
- Real‑time ISR integration is critical for rapid target identification after a high‑value casualty event.
- Multi‑platform strike packages (air‑to‑ground, UAV, cruise missiles) provide adaptability to engage both hardened and remote targets.
- Pre‑strike civilian safeguards (no‑strike zones, CEP standards) mitigate reputational risk and uphold legal obligations.
- Partner coordination (SDF, regional allies) enhances intelligence quality and post‑strike assessment accuracy.
- Transparent reporting to international bodies helps maintain legitimacy and pre‑empt diplomatic fallout.
Sources & Further Reading
- U.S. Department of Defense, “CENTCOM Statement on Syrian Operations – 9 January 2026,” released 09 Jan 2026.
- Reuters, “U.S. launches massive air campaign against ISIL after Palmyra attack,” 9 Jan 2026.
- Associated Press, “Three Americans killed in Syria ambush; Pentagon orders strike,” 8 Jan 2026.
- United Nations Human Rights Office, “Preliminary Assessment of Air Strikes in Syria – January 2026,” accessed 10 Jan 2026.
- Syrian Democratic Forces Press Release, “Joint Statement on Counter‑ISIL Operations,” 10 Jan 2026.
