U.S. forces commenced Operation Hawkeye Strike targeting ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in northern and central Syria, including Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, in direct response to the December 13 Palmyra attack that killed American personnel, Secretary of War stated earlier today, with strikes reported during the 29 minutes ending at 10:46 PM UTC on December 19, 2025. U.S. Central Command announced from Tampa, Florida, that the large-scale strike followed the December 13 attack on U.S. and partner forces in Syria, stating additional information would be provided soon. Secretary of War described the operation under President Trump's leadership as a declaration of vengeance, emphasizing the U.S. would hunt and kill those targeting Americans. Al-Arabiya reported the strikes on ISIS sites and leaders involved F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from the U.S. Air Force, alongside U.S. Army AH-64E Apache helicopters and M142 HIMARS. Syrian Telegram channels published unverified footage of U.S. missile launches targeting ISIS in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, according to JoeTruzman on X. These developments continue U.S. airstrikes from Al-Shaddadi base on ISIS targets in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa deserts reported over the prior 30 minutes ending at 10:16 PM UTC, as confirmed by a U.S. official to Al-Monitor. Separately, ANHA reported the Syrian Ministry of Defense delivered a document stating the SDF-Damascus integration process will form three military divisions in Hasaka, Deir ez-Zor, and Raqqa.
