US military carries out large-scale strikes against Islamic State targets across Syria

On 10 January 2026, U.S. forces launched a series of precision strikes against Islamic State positions north of Palmyra in eastern Syria. The attacks, conducted at 12:30‑p.m. Eastern Time (5:30 p.m. UK), were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike—an initiative approved by former President Donald Trump in direct response to a December 13 ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Central Command said the strikes targeted a growing ISIS weapons depot, and footage showed multiple explosions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth repeated that America would retaliate against those who harm its warfighters. The operation follows a similar December 20 strike and follows recent RAF Typhoon attacks on an ISIS stockpile.