U.S. fighter jets roared over central Syria at midday on January 10, 2026, unleashing more than 90 precision munitions on over 35 ISIS targets in a matter of minutes. Dust clouds erupted from hidden desert camps, marking a forceful retaliation for the deaths of three Americans weeks earlier and underscoring the enduring threat of ISIS remnants.
American Blood Spilled
The chain of events ignited on December 13, 2025, near Palmyra, where a Syrian security officer with suspected ISIS links ambushed U.S. forces aiding partner operations. Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, both from the Iowa National Guard, died alongside civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat. Three other Guard members suffered wounds.
This attack upended beliefs that ISIS posed only a contained risk, prompting urgent demands for a decisive U.S. response amid Syria’s instability following Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December 2024.
Post-Caliphate Persistence
ISIS surrendered its territorial caliphate in 2019, yet the group adapted through splinter cells in central Syria’s deserts. U.S. Central Command’s Operation Inherent Resolve continued with airstrikes and raids, eliminating dozens of militants at training sites by late 2025.
Kurdish allies maintained control in eastern Syria, but ISIS exploited the power vacuum, shifting to ambushes and hideouts. With U.S. troop numbers cut from about 2,000 to 1,000, operations relied on airpower, MQ-9 drones, and partners to counter the insurgency.
Retaliation Unfolds
President Trump called the Palmyra incident a red line, vowing serious consequences. On December 19, 2025, Operation Hawkeye Strike—named for the fallen Iowa Guardsmen—unleashed F-15Es, A-10s, Apache helicopters, and HIMARS rockets on more than 70 ISIS sites.
Jordan contributed forces, but intelligence revealed surviving cells, necessitating escalation. The campaign blended manned aircraft, drones, and allied jets, destroying training camps, weapons depots, and supply routes linking Syria and Iraq.
Precision Assault
The January 10 strikes represented one of CENTCOM’s largest single-day efforts in years, with over two dozen aircraft— including F-15E Strike Eagles from Mountain Home Air Force Base, A-10s from Moody, Jordanian F-16s, and AC-130J gunships—hitting 35 targets. Footage showed bombs precisely cratering remote badlands, far from U.S. bases in Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor.
No civilian casualties were reported, enhancing operational legitimacy. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth affirmed the mission’s dual purpose: justice for the slain and safeguarding the remaining 1,000 U.S. troops, part of 1,800 Guard deployments in the region.
Coalition and Outlook
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who spearheaded Assad’s removal, joined the anti-ISIS coalition after White House discussions, bolstering efforts during Syria’s transition. CENTCOM assessments noted ISIS cells fracturing, with leaders killed and recruits dwindling under pressure.
Analysts caution that airpower degrades but rarely eradicates insurgencies, as militants retreat into deserts and villages. The strikes align with post-2001 military authorizations, minimizing legal hurdles through precision targeting.
This operation signals a policy pivot toward swift retaliation over drawdowns, with Jordan’s role fortifying regional ties and potential Iraqi coordination looming. Russia observes from afar as U.S. resolve deters attacks. As ISIS adapts amid Syria’s flux, troops remain vigilant, air assets poised, and the risk of further waves persists—balancing tribute to the fallen with the unresolved quest to eliminate safe havens.
Sources:
U.S. Central Command, U.S., Partner Forces Strike ISIS Targets in Syria, January 9, 2026
CBS News, U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS targets in Syria, officials say, January 9, 2026
Air & Space Forces Magazine, F-15Es, A-10s Launched Wave of Strikes on ISIS in Syria, January 10, 2026
Iowa National Guard / Military Times, Iowa National Guard IDs soldiers killed in ambush in Syria, December 14, 2025
Politico, US strikes ISIS in Syria, January 10, 2026
ABC News, US carries out additional ‘large-scale’ strikes on ISIS targets, January 10, 2026