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

The US military has ​carried out multiple strikes ​in ​Syria targeting the Islamic State militant group.

According to US Central Command, the large-scale strikes were carried out at around 12.30pm eastern time (5.30pm in the UK).

It said in a statement that the operation was part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, authorised by Donald Trump "in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on 13 December" last year.

"That ambush, carried out by an ISIS terrorist, resulted in the tragic deaths of two American soldiers and one US civilian interpreter," the military command said.

The US president previously vowed to "retaliate" over the strikes toward the end of last year.

The ⁠statement did not note whether anyone was killed in the strikes. Footage shared by the command showed a series of explosions.

"Our message remains strong," Central Command added. "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."

Resharing the statement on X, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said: "We will never forget, and never relent."

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It marks the latest strike from the US in Syria as part of the operation, with a similar attack on ISIS targets being carried out on 20 December.

It also comes after RAF Typhoons bombed a suspected weapons stockpile ⁠previously used by Islamic State in Syria last weekend.

(c) Sky News 2026: US military carries out large-scale strikes against Islamic State targets across Syria