Florida: US Central Command (CENTCOM), along with partner forces, conducted large-scale airstrikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, marking Washington’s latest military action against the jihadist group in the region.

In a post on X, CENTCOM said the strikes were carried out at approximately 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time and targeted ISIS positions throughout Syria. The operation was launched in response to the December 13 attack in Palmyra that killed two American soldiers and a US civilian interpreter.

CENTCOM stated that the strikes were part of its ongoing mission "to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region. U.S. and coalition forces remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States."

The command noted that Operation Hawkeye Strike was initiated on December 19, 2025, at the direction of US President Donald Trump, following the Palmyra attack which CENTCOM said was carried out by an ISIS terrorist.

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CENTCOM also issued a warning to militant groups, stating: "Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice."

CNN reported that Saturday’s operation involved more than 90 precision munitions striking over 35 targets, with more than two dozen aircraft deployed. The soldiers killed in the Palmyra attack were identified as 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar of Des Moines, Iowa, and 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown, Iowa, both members of the Iowa National Guard.

The US troops in Syria are part of Operation Inherent Resolve, Washington’s mission to defeat ISIS.

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Kurdish fighters evacuated from Aleppo after days of clashes

Meanwhile, Kurdish fighters were evacuated from a contested neighbourhood in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo following several days of violent clashes with government forces, according to officials.

State-run news agency SANA reported that buses transported the last group of fighters from Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood to northeastern Syria, an area controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said an agreement had been reached through international mediation.

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“Through international mediation to halt the attacks and violations against our people in Aleppo, we have reached an understanding leading to a ceasefire and the safe evacuation of martyrs, the wounded, trapped civilians, and fighters from the Achrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhoods to northern and eastern Syria," Abdi said in a post on X.

He added: “mediators to uphold their promises to stop the violations and work towards the safe return of the displaced to their homes.”

An Associated Press journalist at the scene confirmed that buses left Aleppo on Sunday, with officials stating that around 360 fighters were transported. Additional buses carrying civilians and detained fighters departed on Saturday.