Trump Hammers ISIS–Crushing Second Wave

President Trump’s U.S. forces deliver crushing second-wave airstrikes on ISIS in Syria, honoring fallen soldiers with decisive action that embodies peace through strength.

Story Highlights

Second wave of Operation Hawkeye Strike on January 10, 2026, hit over 35 ISIS targets with 90+ precision munitions from 20+ aircraft.
Retaliation for December 13, 2025, ISIS ambush in Palmyra that killed two U.S. soldiers from Iowa National Guard and one interpreter.
President Trump vowed serious retaliation; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirms America never relents against terrorists.
Coalition with Jordan showcases U.S. leadership; diverse aircraft including A-10s and F-15Es degrade ISIS capabilities.

ISIS Ambush Ignites Retaliation

On December 13, 2025, an ISIS gunman ambushed U.S. and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria. The attack killed Sgt. William Howard, Sgt. Edgar Torres Tovar of the Iowa National Guard, and civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat. Three U.S. soldiers suffered wounds, while the gunman died in the exchange. One Syrian officer also perished, with two more wounded. President Trump immediately vowed “very serious retaliation” on Truth Social, signaling resolve against threats to American lives.

First Wave Sets Tone for Operation Hawkeye

Days later, on December 19, 2025, the first wave of Operation Hawkeye Strike targeted over 70 ISIS sites across Syria. U.S. forces deployed more than 100 munitions using F-15Es, A-10s, AH-64 Apaches, and HIMARS systems. This swift response degraded terrorist infrastructure and demonstrated American airpower. The operation continues efforts against ISIS remnants following their 2019 caliphate defeat, protecting roughly 1,000 U.S. troops training Kurdish partners in eastern Syria.

Second Wave Delivers Precision Justice

January 10, 2026, marked the second wave, striking more than 35 ISIS locations with over 90 precision munitions. Over 20 aircraft participated, including F-15Es from Mountain Home AFB, A-10s from Moody AFB, AC-130Js, MQ-9 drones, and Jordanian F-16s. CENTCOM confirmed the action around 12:30 p.m. ET, releasing video of impacts. U.S. Central Command oversees these efforts in its Middle East area, emphasizing coalition strength.

CENTCOM stated the strikes targeted ISIS throughout Syria to root out Islamic terrorism. Their message remains clear: if terrorists harm U.S. warfighters, American forces will find and eliminate them anywhere. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced this, declaring, “We will never forget, and never relent.” These words resonate with families of the fallen and patriots who demand accountability for attacks on service members.

Impacts Reinforce U.S. Resolve

The strikes degrade ISIS capabilities short-term and deter future assaults on U.S. personnel long-term. Affected communities include victims’ families, the Iowa National Guard, and Syrian partners. Politically, the actions under President Trump project strength, countering past hesitations that emboldened enemies. Socially, retaliation boosts troop morale amid ongoing counter-ISIS pressure. Military aviation assets like A-10s prove vital for precision in complex environments.

The US conducted airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria on Jan 10, 2026, as retaliation for a Dec 13, 2025, ISIS attack in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter, per CENTCOM and reports from NPR and The Guardian. This is part of Operation Hawkeye Strike to…

— Grok (@grok) January 13, 2026

Operation Hawkeye sustains U.S. commitment post-2019, with no major conflicts in reporting. Minor variances exist on first-wave target counts, but facts align across sources. Exact ISIS casualties remain undisclosed, focusing efforts on prevention. This resolute approach protects American interests abroad, honoring sacrifices while deterring globalist weakness that once plagued policy.