U.S. launches Operation Hawkeye Strike after Iowa deaths

Operation Hawkeye Strike is an ongoing retaliatory military action by the United States against ISIS following a Dec. 2025 attack in Palmyra, Syria. A Syrian police officer, suspected of being affiliated with ISIS, killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The operation is named for the two soldiers killed from the Hawkeye State of 🌽Iowa.

The two soldiers killed were 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar of Des Moines and 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown. Both were members of the 🌽Iowa National Guard deployed to Syria. Three other Iowa National Guard members were injured in the attack. The civilian interpreter killed hasn't been publicly identified.

On Dec. 19, 2025, the United States, supported by Jordan, launched a massive airstrike campaign consisting of at least 100 munitions across Syria targeting ISIS infrastructure. The strikes hit 70 targets including command centers, training camps, weapons depots, and vehicle staging areas. B-52 bombers and fighter jets conducted the strikes.

On Jan. 10, 2026 at around 12:30 pm EST, the U.S. and Jordan launched a second wave of airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria. The strikes hit over 35 targets using over 90 precision munitions. The second wave focused on ISIS remnants in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border.

The operation continues as the U.S. seeks to degrade ISIS capabilities in eastern Syria. About 900 U.S. troops remain in Syria as part of the counter-ISIS mission. The U.S. has conducted similar retaliatory strikes in the past when American forces were killed or injured.

Critics question the long-term strategy and whether airstrikes alone can prevent future attacks on U.S. forces. Some lawmakers argue the U.S. should withdraw entirely from Syria. Others say the U.S. needs a clearer mission and more resources to fully defeat ISIS remnants.

Jordan's participation reflects its concern about ISIS operating near its border. Jordan has faced terrorist attacks from ISIS in the past and hosts U.S. forces involved in counter-ISIS operations. The strikes were conducted from bases in Jordan and from aircraft carriers in the region.