The United States military has executed a fresh wave of airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria, officials confirmed on Saturday. The attacks form a key part of an ongoing counter-terrorism campaign initiated last month in direct response to an assault that claimed American lives.
Operation Hawkeye Strike in Action
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were carried out in the early afternoon U.S. Eastern Time on Saturday, 10th January 2026. The operation, codenamed 'Hawkeye Strike', was launched in December following a deadly incident on 13th December. In that attack, Islamic State militants killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter.
"The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria," CENTCOM stated, though it provided no immediate information on potential casualties resulting from the latest bombings. The Pentagon has declined to elaborate further, and the State Department has not yet commented on the developments.
Broad Coalition Efforts Against ISIS
These aerial assaults are not isolated actions. They are integrated into the wider, sustained efforts of a U.S.-led international coalition. This coalition has been actively pursuing both aerial and ground operations against suspected ISIS members across Syria for several months, often working in coordination with Syrian security forces.
Approximately 1,000 U.S. troops remain deployed in Syria, underscoring the continued commitment to combating the militant group's remnants. The geopolitical landscape in Syria has shifted significantly, with the current government in Damascus being led by former rebels who overthrew long-time President Bashar al-Assad in 2024 after a protracted 13-year civil war.
An Unlikely Alliance Against a Common Foe
Notably, the Syrian government now includes figures from the country's former Al Qaeda affiliate, who subsequently broke ties with that network and clashed with Islamic State. This has created a complex but cooperative dynamic in the fight against ISIS. Syria has formally been cooperating with the U.S.-led coalition, solidifying an agreement late last year during a White House visit by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The continuation of Operation Hawkeye Strike highlights the persistent threat posed by ISIS cells in the region and the determined, if politically complicated, multinational effort to neutralise them. The U.S. military's actions signal a clear intent to retaliate for losses and disrupt the group's operations, even as the broader conflict in Syria evolves.
