The U.S. is conducting airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation for the attack that killed two American soldiers and a U.S. interpreter on Saturday, multiple sources told CBS News.
One of the officials said the U.S. began striking dozens of targets at multiple locations across central Syria using fighter aircraft, attack helicopters and artillery. More than 70 targets were struck, a U.S. official said.
F-15 fighter jets, A-10 Thunderbolts — known as “Warthogs” — and Apache attack helicopters were used to target ISIS positions in Syria Friday, U.S. officials told CBS News. F-16 fighter jets from Jordan were also involved in the operation
U.S. Central Command described the operation as a “massive strike” and indicated that it was retaliatory in a post on X.
A U.S. fighter jet prepares for a large-scale strike on ISIS targets in Syria. Dec. 19, 2025. / Credit: U.S. Central Command
President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth attended the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base earlier this week for the two soldiers killed, Sgt. William Howard and Sgt. Edgar Torres Tovar, both of the Iowa National Guard, and the interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
The three individuals were killed when, according to the Pentagon, a lone ISIS gunman ambushed them while they were supporting a key leader in Palmyra, Syria. Three other members of the Iowa National Guard were wounded in the attack.
Mr. Trump vowed “very serious retaliation” in a TruthSocial post after the attack, and Hegseth also vowed to “avenge these fallen Americans with overwhelming force.”
Hegseth announced in a post on X Friday that U.S. forces have begun “Operation Hawkeye Strike” in Syria “to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces.”
“Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies,” Hegseth continued. “Lots of them. And we will continue.”
After the operation began, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement, “President Trump told the world that the United States would retaliate for the killing of our heroes by ISIS in Syria, and he is delivering on that promise.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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