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. 15, 2026

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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. The strikes, conducted between February 3 and Thursday, have hit weapons storage facilities and other IS infrastructure, resulting in at least 50 militants killed or captured.

Why it matters

The airstrikes are part of the ongoing U.S. military campaign against ISIS, which has been active in Syria and Iraq since the group declared a caliphate in 2014. The recent attacks are in direct response to the deadly December ambush, underscoring the continued threat posed by ISIS and the U.S. commitment to targeting the group's operations.

The details

According to U.S. Central Command, American aircraft conducted 10 strikes against more than 30 ISIS targets, including weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure. In total, over 100 ISIS targets have been struck since the December 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 Thursday.
  • The December ambush that prompted the retaliation strikes occurred on December 13, 2025.

The players

U.S. Central Command

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

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar

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

Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard

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

Ayad Mansoor Sakat

The American civilian interpreter killed in the December ambush in Syria.

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What’s next

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

The takeaway

The recent airstrikes demonstrate the U.S. military's continued commitment to targeting and degrading ISIS operations in Syria, even as the group's territorial control has diminished since the height of its power. The retaliation strikes also highlight the ongoing threat posed by the group and the need for sustained counterterrorism efforts.