CENTCOM Says Operation Hawkeye Strike Continues After Palmyra Ambush That Killed Two U.S. Service Members & An American Interpreter

Sunday, February 15, 2026, 10:15 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- The U.S. military said Saturday that American forces carried out a concentrated series of airstrikes in Syria this month, hitting more than 30 Islamic State (ISIS) targets over a 10-strike period, as the United States continues a retaliatory and pressure campaign aimed at degrading the terrorist group’s remaining networks and preventing further attacks on U.S. and partner forces.

     In a February 14, 2026,  statement, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said U.S. forces conducted 10 strikes between February 3, 2026, and February 12, 2026,  against more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria “to sustain relentless military pressure on remnants” of the organization. According to CENTCOM, the strikes focused on ISIS infrastructure and weapons storage targets, employing precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aircraft.

     CENTCOM did not publicly provide a full list of specific target locations, detailed battle damage assessments beyond the categories described, or information regarding potential civilian harm in the February 14, 2026, release. The command framed the latest strikes as a continuation of a broader counterterrorism operation tied to a deadly late-2025 attack in central Syria.

Timeline Of U.S. Military Operations;

     CENTCOM’s Saturday, February 14, 2026, announcement places the most recent strikes within a sustained operational timeline over the past two months:

• February 3–12, 2026: U.S. forces conducted 10 strikes, hitting more than 30 ISIS targets across Syria.
• January 27–February 2, 2026: CENTCOM reported five additional strikes targeting an ISIS communication site, a critical logistics node, and multiple weapons storage facilities.
• January 10, 2026: U.S. and partner forces carried out large-scale strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike.
• December 19, 2025: Operation Hawkeye Strike was formally launched and announced at the direction of President Trump, according to CENTCOM.
• December 13, 2025: ISIS militants carried out an ambush near Palmyra, Syria, killing two U.S. service members and an American interpreter, an attack CENTCOM cited as a key catalyst for the current campaign.

     CENTCOM stated that across two months of targeted operations, U.S. and partner forces have killed or captured more than 50 ISIS members and struck over 100 ISIS infrastructure targets using hundreds of precision munitions.

Objectives And Targeting Strategy;

     U.S. military officials have characterized the recent strike activity as a focused counterterrorism campaign intended to disrupt ISIS’s ability to regroup, stockpile weapons, and coordinate attacks.

     CENTCOM said the February strike series targeted facilities typically used for logistics, weapons storage, staging, and operational support, aiming to degrade the group’s capacity to conduct future attacks against U.S. personnel and allied forces.

     In earlier statements announcing Operation Hawkeye Strike, CENTCOM emphasized the United States’ commitment to “rooting out Islamic terrorism” and preventing further attacks on American forces, warning that individuals responsible for harming U.S. service members would be pursued “anywhere in the world.”

Broader Context In Syria;

     The United States has conducted counter-ISIS operations in Syria since 2014 as part of a U.S.-led international coalition. While ISIS no longer controls large swaths of territory as it once did, U.S. officials assess that the group retains the ability to carry out insurgent attacks, exploit security gaps, and rebuild operational networks if sustained military pressure is not maintained.

     CENTCOM’s current public messaging describes ISIS as a weakened but persistent threat, underscoring the rationale for continued airstrikes and partnered operations in the region.

What Is Known, And What Remains Unclear;

     Confirmed by CENTCOM and wire reporting:

• The U.S. conducted 10 strikes between February 3, 2026, and February 12, 2026, striking more than 30 ISIS targets in Syria.
• The operations utilized precision-guided munitions delivered by fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems.
• The strikes are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, initiated following the December 13, 2025, Palmyra ambush.

     Not publicly detailed in CENTCOM’s February 14, 2026, release:

• Specific strike locations or target names beyond general categories.
• Independent verification of the number of ISIS members killed or captured.
• Any assessment of civilian casualties related to the February 3–12 strikes.

     As with ongoing military operations, post-strike assessments and casualty figures may evolve as additional intelligence and after-action reviews become available.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, and is based on official press releases issued by U.S. Central Command on February 14, 2026, and January 10, 2026, along with contemporaneous reporting by Reuters and The Associated Press confirming the strike window and target count. All casualty figures and operational claims are attributed to the U.S. military and have not been independently verified by Englebrook Independent News.