Operation Hawkeye Strike: US and Jordan launch precision airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria, enhancing regional security and counterterrorism efforts. Key details and analysis for competitive exams.
Operation Hawkeye Strike: US and Jordan Launch Major Airstrikes on ISIS in Syria
Joint Military Action Against ISIS
In a significant escalation of the global fight against extremist terrorism, the United States and Jordan conducted large-scale military strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets across central Syria on December 19, 2025, in an operation dubbed Operation Hawkeye Strike. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the joint offensive, which involved coordinated airstrikes using fighter jets, attack helicopters, and guided artillery systems, aimed at degrading ISIS infrastructure and operational capabilities.
The operation came as a direct retaliatory response to a deadly attack on December 13, 2025, when a gunman, suspected of ISIS affiliation, ambushed a U.S. and allied convoy near Palmyra in central Syria, killing two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Following this attack, U.S. and partner forces carried out multiple operations in Syria and Iraq that resulted in the death or detention of several ISIS operatives prior to the launch of Operation Hawkeye Strike.
Scope and Military Assets Used
According to military sources, more than 70 ISIS-linked targets were struck in central and eastern Syria. The offensive employed over 100 precision-guided munitions to hit command centers, weapons depots, training facilities, logistical hubs, and other ISIS infrastructure points. American aircraft such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-15E Strike Eagle, supported by AH-64 Apache helicopters and HIMARS rocket artillery systems, were used alongside Jordanian Air Force F-16 fighter jets to amplify the impact of the operation.
CENTCOM officials stressed the precision nature of the strikes to minimize civilian casualties while maximizing damage to ISIS operational capabilities. Central Syria’s terrain—spanning deserts and urban outskirts—hosted many of the targeted ISIS sites, according to official military briefings.
U.S. Strategic Priorities and Official Statements
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, emphasised that the operation was essential to prevent ISIS from planning and executing future terrorist plots against the United States and its allies. The strikes reflect a continued U.S. commitment to eliminating remnants of ISIS that still pose security threats after the group lost its territorial caliphate.
Jordan’s participation was also notable, with its statement highlighting the importance of preventing extremist groups from using Syrian territory as a base for regional attacks that could threaten its own national security and that of neighbouring states.
International and Regional Impact
This joint operation reinforces broader international efforts against ISIS. Although ISIS no longer holds the expansive territory it once did in Syria and Iraq, its remnants continue to wage insurgent operations, recruit fighters, and exploit unstable regions of the Middle East. The strikes followed a series of counterterrorism operations conducted by U.S. and allied forces over the prior months, aimed at weakening ISIS’s capacity to reorganize and launch attacks.
The operation has been closely watched by global security analysts as a reminder of ongoing threats from extremist groups and the importance of multilateral military cooperation in combating transnational terrorism.
Why This News is Important for Exam Aspirants
Relevance to National and International Security
Operation Hawkeye Strike is an important current affair for competitive exams because it highlights ongoing global efforts to counter terrorism and maintain international security. Understanding this operation helps aspirants grasp how major world powers and regional allies coordinate military strategies against extremist organizations like ISIS — a key topic in the International Relations and Security Studies sections of exams such as UPSC, SSC CGL, and defence services examinations.
Terrorism and counterterrorism are recurring themes in examination syllabi, especially in questions related to foreign policy, global terrorism trends, and regional geopolitics. Operation Hawkeye Strike illustrates how international military collaboration works in practice, offering a real-world case study of how bilateral and multilateral operations are executed in response to specific threats.
Illustrates Strategic Military Planning
The operation demonstrates how modern armed forces use precision munitions and advanced aircraft to target militant infrastructure while minimizing civilian impact. For aspirants preparing for defence, civil services, or police exams, it’s essential to understand the strategic decisions, technological assets, and tactical coordination involved in such operations. ‹em›This also helps with questions on military technology and modern warfare tactics.
Highlights Regional Security Challenges
Syria remains a focal point of instability in the Middle East, affecting global peace and security. Understanding developments like Operation Hawkeye Strike helps students analyse how residual threats persisted even after ISIS lost its territorial base and why continued vigilance and military interventions remain necessary. Such insights are valuable for current affairs and analytical writing sections of competitive exams.
Historical Context of Counterterrorism in Syria
Origins of ISIS and the Syrian Conflict
The Islamic State (ISIS) emerged from the chaos of the Syrian Civil War and instability in Iraq in the early 2010s, declaring a caliphate in 2014 after capturing vast territories in both countries. This triggered an international response, led primarily by the United States and coalition partners, combining airstrikes, ground operations, and local alliances to degrade ISIS’s territorial rule.
Operation Inherent Resolve and Coalition Warfare
Since 2014, the U.S. has led Operation Inherent Resolve, a multinational effort to dismantle ISIS in Iraq and Syria. At its height, coalition forces helped liberate major cities such as Mosul (Iraq) and Raqqa (Syria) from ISIS control. Even after the loss of territory, ISIS cells continued insurgent activities, necessitating periodic strikes and arrests to prevent resurgence.
Evolution of Counterterrorism Strategy
The strategy shifted after territorial defeat to focused counterterrorism operations, intelligence-led operations, and targeted strikes. Operations like Hawkeye Strike reflect this phase — using advanced military technology and partnership with regional allies to neutralise lingering threats.
Key Takeaways from “Operation Hawkeye Strike”
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Operation Hawkeye Strike was launched by the U.S. with Jordan’s support against ISIS targets in Syria. |
| 2 | The strikes were in retaliation for a December 13, 2025 attack that killed U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter. |
| 3 | More than 70 ISIS infrastructure sites were hit using precision-guided munitions. |
| 4 | The operation employed fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery systems. |
| 5 | Jordanian fighter jets participated to prevent extremist threats in the region |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was Operation Hawkeye Strike?
Answer: Operation Hawkeye Strike was a joint military operation conducted by the United States and Jordan on December 19, 2025, targeting ISIS sites in central Syria to degrade terrorist infrastructure and prevent further attacks.
2. Why was Operation Hawkeye Strike conducted?
Answer: The operation was launched in retaliation for a December 13, 2025 attack on a U.S. convoy near Palmyra, Syria, which killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, and to prevent ISIS from planning future attacks.
3. Which military assets were used in the operation?
Answer: The operation involved American fighter jets (A‑10 Thunderbolt II, F‑15E Strike Eagle), AH‑64 Apache helicopters, HIMARS rocket artillery, and Jordanian F‑16 fighter jets, along with over 100 precision‑guided munitions.
4. How many ISIS targets were destroyed?
Answer: More than 70 ISIS infrastructure sites, including training centers, weapons depots, and command hubs, were struck during Operation Hawkeye Strike.
5. What is the significance of Jordan’s participation?
Answer: Jordan’s involvement highlighted the regional threat posed by ISIS and reinforced multilateral cooperation to prevent extremist groups from using Syrian territory as a base for attacks against neighbouring countries.
6. How does this operation relate to global counterterrorism efforts?
Answer: It reflects ongoing international efforts to eliminate remaining ISIS cells and prevent transnational terrorist attacks, demonstrating coalition strategies and intelligence-led counterterrorism operations.
7. Which international military operation previously targeted ISIS?
Answer: Operation Inherent Resolve, led by the United States since 2014, targeted ISIS in Iraq and Syria to dismantle its territorial caliphate and degrade its operational capabilities.
8. What lessons can students learn from this operation for exams?
Answer: Students can understand modern counterterrorism strategies, coalition warfare, regional security challenges, and the use of precision military technology, all of which are key topics in UPSC, SSC, and defence exams.
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