The United States carried out large-scale retaliatory airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets across central Syria on Friday, responding to a deadly ambush earlier this month that killed two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter.

The operation, named Hawkeye Strike by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), involved fighter jets, attack helicopters, and rocket artillery systems that struck more than 70 ISIS positions, including weapons caches, command posts, and logistics sites. U.S. officials said the strikes delivered over 100 precision-guided munitions.

Aircraft taking part included Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Warthogs, supported by Army AH-64 Apache helicopters and HIMARS rocket launchers. Jordanian fighter jets also joined the mission, emphasizing ongoing cooperation with regional partners, like their support during Israel’s 12 Day War with Iran.

Explosions were reported across the Syrian desert, stretching from Deir ez-Zor through Palmyra and toward Raqqa. The strikes were carefully targeted to degrade ISIS capabilities without triggering a broader ground conflict.

The operation came in response to a Dec. 13 ambush near Palmyra that killed two Iowa National Guard soldiers and a civilian interpreter, and wounded several other U.S. personnel. These were the first American combat deaths in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the strikes “a declaration of vengeance,” describing them as a deliberate and forceful response to the attack on U.S. troops. President Donald Trump, in a social media post, commented that it was a “very serious retaliation” and warned that any further attacks on American forces would be met with overwhelming force.

Syrian government officials, appear to be cooperating with the U.S.-led counter-ISIS coalition, supported the operation and said it reinforced that ISIS would find no safe havens in the country. It is unclear if these are genuine sentiments or simply new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s way of avoiding reintroduction of sanctions.

Roughly 1,000 U.S. troops remain deployed in Syria, working alongside local partners to monitor and disrupt ISIS remnants. CENTCOM officials said the strikes were part of a sustained effort to prevent the group from reorganizing or exploiting instability in central and eastern Syria.

No civilian casualties were reported from the operation, according to initial assessments. U.S. officials said additional missions would continue as needed to maintain pressure on ISIS networks in the region.