US Launches Airstrikes Against ISIS Targets in Syria

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The U.S. military has reported a series of airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria in retaliation for a December ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter. U.S. Central Command said American aircraft conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 IS targets between February 3 and Thursday, hitting weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure. At least 50 members of IS have been killed or captured, while more than 100 IS targets have been struck since the U.S. began its strikes after the December attack.

Why it matters

The airstrikes represent the U.S. military's response to a deadly attack on American forces in Syria, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by ISIS and the continued U.S. counterterrorism operations in the region. The transfer of IS detainees from Syria to Iraq also highlights the complex challenge of managing captured fighters as the U.S.-led coalition winds down its direct combat role against the terrorist group.

The details

According to U.S. Central Command, the 10 airstrikes conducted between February 3 and Thursday targeted weapons storage facilities and other ISIS infrastructure, killing or capturing at least 50 members of the terrorist group. This is part of a broader campaign that has seen more than 100 ISIS targets struck since the December 13 ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter. Meanwhile, the Syrian government has taken control of the Al-Tanf base, which had been run by U.S. troops as part of the fight against ISIS.

• The airstrikes were conducted between February 3 and Thursday, 2026.
• The December 13, 2025 ambush killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter.

What’s next

The U.S. military has completed the transfer of thousands of ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq, where they are expected to stand trial.