The headlines hit differently when names are attached. On December 13, 2025, near the ancient city of Palmyra, a quiet meeting turned into a bloodbath. It wasn't a massive frontline battle or a high-tech drone strike that did it. It was an ambush. Specifically, an "insider" attack that left two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter dead.
When the US attacked in Syria news first broke, the shockwaves were felt immediately from the White House to the small towns of Iowa. This wasn't supposed to happen in the "new" Syria—the one post-Bashar al-Assad. But the desert has a long memory.
The Palmyra Ambush: Breaking Down the Chaos
The details are sobering. Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, both members of the Iowa National Guard, were meeting with Syrian security personnel. They weren't alone; Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a civilian interpreter, was there to bridge the language gap.
Then the shooting started.
A member of the Syrian security forces—someone who was supposedly an ally in this fragile new coalition—opened fire. It’s the kind of "green-on-blue" incident that haunted the US in Afghanistan for a decade. The gunman was killed, but the damage was done. Three Americans dead. Three more wounded. This was the first time US personnel were killed in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024.
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Operation Hawkeye Strike: The Vengeance Campaign
The response wasn't just swift; it was massive. They’re calling it Operation Hawkeye Strike, a nod to the Iowa roots of the fallen soldiers. President Trump didn't mince words, basically saying that if you touch American warfighters, there’s no corner of the earth where you can hide.
On December 19, the first wave hit. We’re talking F-15Es, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, Apache helicopters, and even HIMARS artillery. They pounded 70 targets across central Syria. Then, just days ago on January 10, 2026, they went back for more.
- Round Two: 20 aircraft hit 35 targets.
- The Munitions: Over 90 precision-guided bombs dropped on ISIS hideouts.
- The Partners: Jordan’s air force actually joined in this time, which is a big deal for regional optics.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth put a pretty blunt label on it: "This is not the beginning of a war—it is a declaration of vengeance." It’s a messy situation because while the US points the finger at ISIS, some experts are looking at the Syrian security forces themselves.
Who Actually Did It? The ISIS vs. Al-Qaeda Confusion
Here is where things get kinda complicated. The official line from CENTCOM is that an ISIS-affiliated terrorist did it. But organizations like the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) have pointed out a weird lack of evidence. Usually, ISIS is the first to scream from the rooftops when they kill Americans. This time? Silence.
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The attacker was a recent recruit to the Syrian security forces. Some analysts argue these forces are crawling with former Al-Qaeda members or jihadists who are technically "allies" now but hate the US just as much as they ever did.
Think about that. The US is now coordinating with a central government in Damascus led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he used to lead the Al-Qaeda branch in Syria. It’s a "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" situation that feels like it’s held together by Scotch tape and prayers.
Why Syria Still Matters in 2026
You might be wondering why we even have 1,000 troops still sitting in the Syrian desert. Honestly, it's about the vacuum. If the US pulls out entirely, ISIS (or whatever they’re calling themselves this week) regroups.
The current posture is basically a game of Whac-A-Mole. We provide the eyes and the heavy ordinance; the local forces provide the boots. But when the "boots" turn their guns on the "eyes," the whole strategy gets called into question.
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What to Watch For Next
If you're following the fallout of the US attacked in Syria situation, keep an eye on these specific developments:
- Vetting Procedures: Expect a massive overhaul in how Syrian security personnel are cleared to be near US advisors. The "insider threat" is back at the top of the priority list.
- Damascus Relations: Watch how much the Trump administration continues to lean on Ahmed al-Sharaa. If more attacks happen, the "No Plan B" strategy might have to find a Plan C.
- Regional Escalation: Jordan’s involvement in the January 10 strikes suggests a more unified regional front against ISIS remnants, which could change the map of eastern Syria.
The reality on the ground is that Palmyra isn't just a pile of ancient ruins anymore. It’s a flashpoint for a conflict that refuses to stay buried. For the families of the Iowa National Guard, the war never really ended; it just shifted shape.
Movements are already underway to tighten the Al Tanf Garrison security perimeter. For those tracking the military movements, the next few weeks will determine if Hawkeye Strike was a one-off retaliatory punch or the start of a much longer, uglier campaign to purge the "allied" security forces of extremist sleeper cells.