A U.S. Airman attaches a GBU-31 munitions system to an F-15E Strike Eagle in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike as the U.S. military launched large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria in retaliation for an attack on U.S. personnel, Dec. 19, 2025. Photo provided by U.S. Air Force Photo/Handout via Reuters
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — In a significant escalation of military action, Jordan confirmed on Saturday that its air force participated in strikes launched by the United States targeting Islamic State group positions in Syria. This response follows the tragic killing of three U.S. citizens earlier in the month, which included two U.S. troops and an American civilian interpreter.
The airstrikes, executed on December 19, aimed to “eliminate” key Islamic State fighters and assets in retaliation for an attack by a Syrian gunman. As reports indicate, the U.S. military targeted multiple sites across Syria, underscoring a decisive response to a heightened threat level.
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The Jordanian military released a statement detailing its involvement, emphasizing its commitment to regional security by participating in precise airstrikes that targeted several ISIS positions in southern Syria. This partnership is within the context of a broader coalition of 90 countries, including Syria itself, working together against IS.
While the U.S. military has not officially disclosed casualty figures, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a prominent war monitor based in the U.K., reported that at least five people were killed in the strikes, including notable leaders of an ISIS cell. This kind of collateral damage highlights the unpredictable nature of warfare against entrenched extremist groups.
The Jordanian military’s statement articulated the operation’s strategic goals, focusing on the prevention of extremist groups from using southern Syrian territories as launching pads to position threats against neighboring countries. This response also came amidst concerns about ISIS’s resurgence and growing capabilities in the region.
U.S. Central Command, which oversees military efforts in the area, detailed the scale of the operation, noting that more than 70 targets were struck utilizing fighter jets, attack helicopters, and artillery. The Jordanian air force was crucial in this operation, furthering the coalition’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks.
In the wake of the December 13 attack that prompted these strikes, U.S. and partner forces have reportedly conducted ten operations across Syria and Iraq, resulting in the deaths or apprehension of 23 terrorist operatives. The ongoing conflict remains complex, characterized by the U.S. and coalition’s sustained efforts that have seen over 80 counterterrorism operations in Syria in the preceding six months.
President Donald Trump had previously vowed “very serious retaliation” following the attack, which he attributed to ISIS. The deceased were among the hundreds of U.S. personnel stationed in eastern Syria as part of the broader coalition initiative against the militant group. Trump continued to express strong support for Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, emphasizing his alignment with U.S. military objectives.
Though ISIS has yet to officially claim responsibility for the fatal assault on U.S. personnel, the group has launched attacks against Syrian security forces since then, further showcasing their operational tenacity. One such assault resulted in the deaths of four Syrian soldiers in Idlib province, indicating the ongoing volatility in the region.
The shooting incident near Palmyra, which resulted in the deaths of three U.S. citizens, also left other personnel wounded, including several members of Syrian security forces. The assailant was a recent recruit to the Syrian internal security forces, allegedly under investigation for possible ties to ISIS. His actions—opening fire during a meeting between U.S. and Syrian officials—underscore the unpredictable threats that remain in this complicated theater of conflict.
Left:
A U.S. Airman attaches a GBU-31 munitions system to an F-15E Strike Eagle in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, in support of Operation Hawkeye Strike as the U.S. military launched large-scale strikes against dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria in retaliation for an attack on U.S. personnel, Dec. 19, 2025. Photo provided by U.S. Air Force Photo/Handout via Reuters
