Three Americans died in a brutal surprise attack, and the United States just fired back with full force.
According to Military Times, in direct response to a December ambush that left two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter dead in Palmyra, Syria, U.S. forces—alongside Jordanian allies—unleashed a sweeping retaliatory campaign that killed or captured nearly 25 ISIS-linked militants and pummeled more than 70 terrorist targets.
The ambush unfolded on Dec. 13, when a lone gunman, disguised as a Syrian base guard, opened fire on U.S. personnel. The attack killed Iowa National Guard Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat. Three other American troops were wounded before the gunman was neutralized by partner forces.
Operation Hawkeye Strike Begins Swiftly
In a retaliatory effort many would rightly call overdue, the Department of Defense launched Operation Hawkeye Strike—named to honor the Hawkeye State soldiers—within days of the attack. America wasn’t alone. Jordan, a regional ally with shared stakes in ISIS eradication, fought side by side with U.S. forces throughout the mission.
The campaign was carried out with unmistakable determination and strength, deploying A-10s, F-15s, Apache helicopters, and the hard-hitting M142 rocket system. Over 100 precision-guided munitions struck dozens of ISIS-linked sites. And this was no token response; it was a message in steel. Eleven operations followed in just nine days. Between combat actions and intelligence raids, at least seven ISIS fighters were confirmed killed, and nearly 25 more were either killed or taken into custody.
Quote From CENTCOM Reflects Clear Mission
“We will not relent,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper declared. “We are steadfast in [our] commitment to working with regional partners to root out the ISIS threat posed to U.S. and regional security.”
That’s not hollow rhetoric. Along with human casualties, four weapons caches were destroyed, adding to the disruption to ISIS’s dwindling operational ability. This is an enemy that thrives in the dark—until the flash of precision-guided American power finds it. And while armchair critics in Washington and the ivory towers bemoan the use of force, Americans who lost sons and brothers in Palmyra might call it justice served.
Attack Sparks Renewed Military Emphasis
According to Central Command, the Palmyra strike marked the first American combat deaths under President Donald Trump’s current term. More alarmingly, it was the first such loss since Bashar Assad's ouster changed the power dynamics in Syria just last year.
Now led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's new government has displayed a surprisingly pragmatic posture. After visiting the White House in a historic visit weeks before the attack, al-Sharaa reportedly expressed "devastation" and “rage” over the killings, a rare diplomatic moment from a region not known for emotional nuance. Trump himself didn’t mince words. Calling the ambush a justification for “very serious retaliation,” he made clear America’s patience had expired—and unfortunately for ISIS, so had its element of surprise.
Defense Secretary Issues Blunt Warning
From the podium, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a chilling but necessary reality check to America’s enemies abroad. “This is not the beginning of the war — it is a declaration of vengeance,” Hegseth remarked. He added that those who come after Americans “will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.” That’s not hyperbole. That’s doctrine—backed by firepower and political will. And not a soul launching rockets from a cave in the desert should doubt it.
ISIS Still a Lingering Threat in Syria
Despite these victories, dangerous gaps remain. A July report from the U.N. Security Council estimated that more than 5,000 ISIS fighters remain spread across Syria. Like cockroaches after the lights come on, they scatter and regroup—unless someone keeps stepping on them.
ISIS operatives reportedly attempted at least 11 attacks or plots against U.S. interests over the past year. The enemy may be battered, but it is not yet beaten—and as any seasoned soldier will tell you, that's often when it's most reckless. U.S. forces remain deployed under Operation Inherent Resolve to ensure the ground gained through sacrifice isn't handed back through complacency. Unfortunately, in today’s climate, more Americans need reminding that peace isn’t a policy—it’s a prize.
American Heroes Remembered With Action
Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torres-Tovar didn’t die in vain. The operation publicly named for their home state reminded the world that when Americans are attacked, America responds—not months later with committees, but immediately, with resolve.
For more than six months, over 80 operations in Syria coordinated with allied forces have resulted in over 300 insurgent captures and more than 20 ISIS fighters killed. The numbers are moving in the right direction—but root canals don’t end halfway through. There’s still ground to cover, both literally and metaphorically. But if Washington’s brass continues giving our troops the tools they need, the ones in the crosshairs won’t be wearing American uniforms.
