US Military Launches Airstrikes Against ISIS Targets in Syria

Retaliation for December ambush that killed 2 US soldiers and 1 civilian interpreter

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The U.S. military has conducted 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. The strikes, carried out between February 3 and February 9, have hit weapons storage facilities and other IS infrastructure, killing or capturing at least 50 IS members.

Why it matters

The airstrikes represent a continued U.S. military effort to combat the Islamic State group in Syria, even as the U.S. has transferred thousands of IS detainees from Syria to Iraq to stand trial. The Al-Tanf base, which previously played a major role in the fight against IS, has now been taken over by Syrian government forces.

The details

According to U.S. Central Command, American aircraft conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 IS targets, hitting weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure. More than 100 IS targets have been struck since the December 13 ambush that killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, and Ayad Mansoor Sakat, the civilian interpreter.

  • The airstrikes were conducted between February 3 and February 9, 2026.
  • The December 13, 2025 ambush that killed 2 US soldiers and 1 civilian interpreter prompted the retaliatory airstrikes.

The players

U.S. Central Command

The U.S. military's regional command responsible for operations in the Middle East, including Syria.

Syrian Defense Ministry

The government agency responsible for Syria's military forces, which has taken control of the Al-Tanf base previously run by U.S. troops.

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar

One of the two U.S. soldiers killed in the December 13, 2025 ambush in Syria.

Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard

One of the two U.S. soldiers killed in the December 13, 2025 ambush in Syria.

Ayad Mansoor Sakat

The American civilian interpreter killed in the December 13, 2025 ambush in Syria.

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What’s next

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

The takeaway

The airstrikes demonstrate the continued U.S. military commitment to combating the Islamic State group in Syria, even as the U.S. shifts focus to transferring IS detainees to Iraq for prosecution. The loss of the Al-Tanf base to Syrian government forces also signals the evolving nature of the conflict in the region.