Operation 'Falcon Eye Strike' Against ISIS Conducted by U.S. Forces and Partners

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the U.S. military and partner forces killed or captured nearly 25 Islamic State terrorists during 11 operations conducted in late December and early January. CENTCOM reported that the U.S. and its partners killed at least seven ISIS members across Syria and captured the rest in operations conducted between December 20 and January 1, 2025. These operations also resulted in the destruction of four ISIS weapons cache sites. CENTCOM stated that these operations followed a large attack on December 19 in Syria. On Tuesday, CENTCOM released a statement saying, 'These recent missions were conducted following the launch of Operation Falcon Eye Strike on December 20, when U.S. and Jordanian forces targeted over 70 sites with more than 100 precision munitions.' According to the U.S. military, the attack was carried out by dozens of fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery, which destroyed ISIS infrastructure and weapon facilities throughout central Syria. Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, issued a statement saying, 'We will not relent.' He added, 'We remain steadfast in our commitment to work with regional partners to eradicate the ISIS threat that poses a risk to U.S. and regional security.' The extensive operations followed the deaths of two soldiers and one American civilian translator on December 13 in central Syria. The attacker was shot dead by Syrian forces. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated that the attack was carried out by the Islamic State terrorist group and pledged serious retaliation. CENTCOM noted in this statement that in 2025, ISIS inspired at least 11 plots or attacks against targets in the United States. In response, U.S. and partner forces in Syria have conducted operations over the past 12 months that resulted in the arrest of over 300 terrorists and the killing of more than 20. Cooper said, 'Continuing to hunt down terrorist operatives, dismantling ISIS networks, and collaborating with partners to prevent the resurgence of ISIS makes America, the region, and the world safer.' Trump hosted Ahmad al-Shara, the President of Syria, at the White House on November 10. During this historic visit, Syria officially joined the U.S.-led global coalition against Islamic State terrorists, and the U.S. also lifted some sanctions against Syria. U.S. forces have been present in Syria since 2014 to combat Islamic State terrorists. U.S. military strikes against 'ISIS terrorist thugs' in northwest Nigeria. Donald Trump called the U.S. attack in Nigeria 'a very bad Christmas gift' for ISIS. Trump announced the U.S. attack on 'the lowly ISIS terrorist thugs' in Nigeria. A deadly explosion in a mosque in Homs amid escalating tensions in Syria.