U.S. Central Command Operation Hawkeye Strike Against ISIS in Syria

MIDDLE EAST - U.S. Central Command initiated Operation Hawkeye Strike on December 19 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, targeting ISIS positions in central Syria. The operation struck more than 70 targets across multiple locations using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery. Jordanian Armed Forces supported with fighter aircraft. Over 100 precision munitions targeted known ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites. Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, stated, "This operation is critical to preventing ISIS from inspiring terrorist plots and attacks against the U.S. homeland. We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists who seek to harm Americans and our partners across the region." The strikes followed an ISIS attack on U.S. and Syrian personnel on December 13, resulting in casualties. U.S. and partner forces in Syria have conducted nearly 80 operations since July to eliminate terrorist remnants posing threats to the United States and interests abroad. ISIS has inspired at least 11 plots or attacks against targets in the United States over the past year. Central Command operations have detained 119 terrorists and killed 14 over the last six months, disrupting efforts for ISIS to reconstitute and inspire terror attacks globally. Operation Hawkeye Strike focused on ISIS camps nearby the attack site. The mission aimed to prevent ISIS from regenerating and posing significant threats. U.S. forces rooted out terrorist elements. Adm. Brad Cooper stated, "We have now had multiple instances of collaboration with the Syrian government to counter specific ISIS threats. These are the types of tangible security gains we can make on the ground through close cooperation with Syrian government forces."