"At approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern time on 10/1 (12:30 a.m. on 11/1 Hanoi time), US Central Command (CENTCOM), along with allies, carried out large-scale attacks targeting multiple Islamic State (IS) objectives throughout Syria," CENTCOM announced.
Video shared by CENTCOM showed US fighter jets taking off, followed by several explosions, seemingly in rural areas. The statement did not specify the locations targeted or any related casualties.
These airstrikes are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched by the US under orders from President Donald Trump. The operation responds to a deadly IS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, in late 12/2025.
On 13/12/2025, an individual identified as a Syrian security officer who had pledged allegiance to IS ambushed forces in Palmyra, killing two US soldiers and one civilian interpreter.
CENTCOM stated that the latest airstrike sends a clear message: "if you harm US soldiers, we will find and destroy you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice."
The US and Jordan conducted a series of airstrikes last month in response to the Palmyra ambush. At that time, CENTCOM declared that "over 70 targets" had been hit. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 5 IS members, including a leader, died in that attack.
On 3/1, the UK and France attacked an underground facility they believed IS might have used to store weapons.
Syria is cooperating with the US-led anti-IS coalition following an agreement with the US in 11/2025, when interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House. The US currently maintains about 1,000 troops in northeast Syria for anti-IS missions.
President Donald Trump has long expressed skepticism about Washington's presence in Syria. During his first term, he ordered a troop withdrawal, but ultimately, US forces remained in the country.
In 4/2025, the Pentagon announced that the US would halve its troop presence in Syria in the coming months. By 6/2025, US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack stated that Washington would reduce its bases in the country to one.
Huyen Le (According to AFP, Reuters)
