The United States carried out large-scale airstrikes on ISIS targets across central Syria following last week’s attack in Palmyra that killed two American soldiers and a U.S. interpreter.
At President Donald Trump’s direction, U.S. forces struck ISIS positions using F-15s, A-10 “Warthogs,” Apache helicopters, and F-16s, a U.S. official told CBS News. Jordanian forces provided support in the operation.
Tonight, U.S. and Jordanian forces struck 70+ ISIS targets in Syria with 100+ precision munitions. Peace through strength. pic.twitter.com/XWWvfqBBFT
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 20, 2025
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that over 100 precision munitions were used to hit more than 70 known ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites, though details on specific locations or casualties were not disclosed. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least five ISIS members, including a drone unit leader, were killed in Deir Az-Zor.
In a Truth Social post announcing the strikes, Trump said the Syrian government was “fully in support” of the U.S. military operation.
Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reaffirmed its commitment to combating ISIS, stating it “invites the United States and member states of the international coalition to support these efforts.”
“The Syrian Arab Republic reiterates its steadfast commitment to fighting ISIS and ensuring that it has no safe havens on Syrian territory, and will continue to intensify military operations against it wherever it poses a threat,” the ministry said in a statement shared on X early Saturday.
The Syrian Arab Republic reiterates its steadfast commitment to fighting ISIS and ensuring that it has no safe havens on Syrian territory, and will continue to intensify military operations against it wherever it poses a threat.
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— وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين السورية (@syrianmofaex) December 19, 2025
In a statement, CENTCOM said that following the Dec. 13 attack on U.S. personnel, U.S. and partner forces carried out 10 operations in Syria and Iraq, resulting in the deaths or detention of 23 terrorist operatives.
CENTCOM added that over the past six months, U.S. and partner forces in Syria have carried out more than 80 operations targeting terrorists who pose a direct threat to the U.S. and regional security.
