BREAKING: US strikes ISIS in Syria in retaliation for killing of Iowa National Guard troops

The United States launched military strikes against ISIS targets across Syria on Saturday afternoon, according to US Central Command. This comes after there were two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed by an ISIS terrorist in Syria.

In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said it “conducted large-scale strikes” against multiple ISIS targets across Syria at approximately 12:30 pm Eastern time.
“These strikes are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched and announced on Dec. 19, 2025, at the direction of President Trump, in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on Dec. 13, 2025,” CENTCOM said.

The statement noted how that attack, carried out by an ISIS terrorist, killed two American soldiers and one US civilian interpreter. This is the second time the US has struck ISIS targets in Syria since the killings.

“The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria as part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region. U.S. and coalition forces remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States,” the statement continued. “Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice.”

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack recently met with Syria's new leadership in Damascus to discuss the future of the country. In a post on X on Saturday, Barrack said that the talk centered on "recent developments in Aleppo and the broader path forward for Syria’s historic transition." He also said that the US "welcomes Syria’s historic transition and extends its support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa."