The operations targeted an Islamic State leader linked to an attack that killed American service members in December
The United States conducted five military strikes against Islamic State targets across Syria between January 27 and February 2, targeting the group’s operational capabilities as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts, U.S. Central Command announced Wednesday.
According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces “located and destroyed an Islamic State communications center, a critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities with 50 precision munitions launched by fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones.”
“Strike these targets demonstrates our continued focus and determination to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State in Syria,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
“Operating in coordination with coalition and partner forces to ensure the ultimate defeat of the Islamic State makes the United States, the region, and the world safer,” he added.
The strikes are part of “Operation Hawkeye Strike,” launched after an Islamic State ambush on December 13 near Palmyra that targeted American and Syrian partner forces.
The attack killed two American service members and an American interpreter.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that “after nearly two months of targeted operations, more than 50 Islamic State terrorists have been killed or captured.” Among the dead was Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an Islamic State leader who was the target of an American strike in northwestern Syria on January 16.
Al-Jasim had a direct link to the Islamic State sniper responsible for the December 13 attack in Palmyra, according to CENTCOM.
Published in 02/04/2026 21h35
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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