💥 Yesterday (December 19, 2025), the U.S. military kicked off Operation Hawkeye Strike in central Syria, hitting dozens of Islamic State targets in retaliation for a deadly ambush near Palmyra.
On December 13, militants from the extremist group known as ISIS attacked a U.S. patrol in Palmyra—home to famous ancient ruins—killing two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Despite losing most of its territory, the group still poses a threat.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X saying the strikes targeted fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites tied to ISIS and were carried out in direct response to the Palmyra attack, making it clear that U.S. forces won't back down when threatened.
Though Syria feels far away, moves like this can send shockwaves around the globe—from security and geopolitics to energy markets and your news feed. Staying in the loop helps you connect how these events shape life here in South and Southeast Asia.
As 2025 winds down, these strikes underscore the ongoing effort to keep extremist threats in check. We'll be watching to see if ISIS can regroup or if this operation truly keeps them on the back foot. 🌍
Reference(s):
U.S. strikes Islamic State in Syria after deadly attack on troops
cgtn.com
