“Operation Hawkeye,” a reference to the fact that the two US soldiers killed were from the “Hawkeye State” of Iowa, the strikes hit dozens of targets the military connected to ISIS.
Published: December 20, 2025 6:34 AM IST
The United States government launched Operation Hawkeye Strike against Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in Syria. This was done as retaliation for the killing of two US soldiers and one civilian earlier this month. US President Donald Trump, on his Truth Social platform, stated, “Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible.”
“We are striking very strongly against ISIS strongholds in Syria, a place soaked in blood which has many problems, but one that has a bright future if ISIS can be eradicated. The Government of Syria, led by a man who is working very hard to bring Greatness back to Syria, and is fully in support. All terrorists who are evil enough to attack Americans are hereby warned — YOU WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN YOU HAVE EVER BEEN HIT BEFORE IF YOU, IN ANY WAY, ATTACK OR THREATEN THE U.S.A,” the post further read.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth indicated that the objective of Operation Hawkeye Strike was to destroy ISIL fighters, infrastructure, and weaponry storage areas. “This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people. As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated on X.
“Operation Hawkeye,” a reference to the fact that the two US soldiers killed were from the “Hawkeye State” of Iowa, the strikes hit dozens of targets the military connected to ISIS — including infrastructure and weapons storage sites across Syria, one of the officials told CNN. According to the reports, the two US service members killed in Syria were identified this week as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt.
Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria.
This is not the beginning of a war — it is a…
— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) December 19, 2025
Following the attack on December 13, which resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and a civilian interpreter, U.S. and coalition forces executed ten operations during which an estimated 23 individuals were either killed or captured, the official stated CNN.
According to the same US official, those operations also yielded intelligence from electronic devices recovered during the missions, which provided information that contributed to targeting for the strikes.
The two US service members killed in Syria were identified this week as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa. They were killed while engaging hostile forces in Palmyra, Syria, the US Army said. Both soldiers were assigned to the Iowa National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. Three additional Iowa National Guard members were wounded in the attack and evacuated for further medical treatment.
About eighteen hundred Iowa National Guard members have been deployed to the Middle East earlier this year to support Operation Inherent Resolve, according to a release from Governor Kim Reynolds’ Office.
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