US Conducts Large-Scale Strikes Against ISIS Targets Across Syria

Published: 10 January 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

The United States has carried out large-scale air and missile strikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets across Syria, marking one of the most extensive US military operations in the region in recent months. The strikes, confirmed by senior US defence officials, were aimed at degrading the extremist group’s operational capabilities and preventing it from exploiting ongoing instability in Syria to re-establish territorial control.

According to the Pentagon, the operation targeted multiple ISIS facilities, including command centres, weapons depots, training camps and logistical hubs spread across eastern and central Syria. The strikes were conducted using a combination of manned aircraft, drones and precision-guided munitions, underscoring Washington’s continued commitment to counterterrorism efforts in the Middle East.

US officials described the operation as “decisive and proportionate,” stating that it was launched in response to intelligence indicating an increase in ISIS planning activity, recruitment efforts and attempted attacks against US forces, allied troops and civilian populations in the region.

“These strikes were conducted to disrupt and degrade ISIS’s ability to plan, coordinate and carry out attacks,” a senior defence official said. “The United States remains committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS and to protecting our personnel and partners.”

Renewed ISIS Activity Raises Alarm

Although ISIS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019, the group has continued to operate as an insurgent force, taking advantage of weak governance, security vacuums and regional instability. Intelligence assessments in recent weeks suggested that ISIS cells had intensified their movements in Syria’s desert regions, using remote terrain to regroup and expand operational networks.

US military analysts have warned that ISIS remains capable of staging deadly attacks, particularly against local forces, humanitarian workers and minority communities. The latest US strikes are intended to prevent the group from capitalising on the fragile security situation created by overlapping conflicts, political fragmentation and reduced international presence in parts of Syria.

The Pentagon emphasised that the operation was carefully planned to minimise civilian casualties. Initial assessments indicate that the strikes successfully hit designated targets, though damage evaluations are ongoing.

Syrian and Regional Reactions

The Syrian government condemned the US strikes, describing them as a violation of national sovereignty. State media in Damascus accused Washington of acting without coordination and claimed the attacks risked destabilising already volatile areas.

Regional reactions were mixed. Some Middle Eastern governments expressed concern about escalating military activity, while others quietly welcomed the strikes as a necessary step to contain ISIS resurgence. Kurdish-led forces in northeastern Syria, long-time US partners in the fight against ISIS, reportedly raised their alert levels following the strikes, anticipating possible retaliatory attacks by extremist cells.

Russia and Iran, both key allies of the Syrian government, criticised the operation and reiterated calls for foreign forces to withdraw from Syrian territory. However, US officials maintained that the strikes were lawful under international counterterrorism frameworks and necessary to address an imminent threat.

Civilian Impact and Humanitarian Concerns

Humanitarian organisations operating in Syria expressed concern about the broader implications of renewed air operations. While acknowledging the threat posed by ISIS, aid groups warned that military escalation risks exacerbating the suffering of civilians already facing severe humanitarian conditions.

Syria remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions displaced, widespread food insecurity and fragile health infrastructure. Any increase in hostilities, humanitarian agencies argue, could further strain aid delivery and endanger civilians caught between competing forces.

Local monitoring groups reported explosions in several remote areas but said there were no immediate reports of civilian casualties. Independent verification remains challenging due to restricted access and limited communications in affected regions.

Strategic Message from Washington

Beyond its immediate military objectives, the operation sends a clear strategic message: the United States intends to maintain pressure on ISIS despite shifting global priorities and geopolitical challenges elsewhere. US officials stressed that counterterrorism remains a core national security interest, even as Washington balances commitments across multiple regions.

The strikes also serve as reassurance to regional partners who have expressed concern that reduced international focus could embolden extremist groups. By demonstrating operational readiness and intelligence capability, the US aims to deter both ISIS and other militant actors from testing regional stability.

“This operation shows that ISIS has no safe haven,” a US military spokesperson said. “We will strike wherever necessary to protect our interests and prevent terrorist resurgence.”

What Happens Next?

While the immediate phase of the operation appears complete, US officials did not rule out additional strikes if intelligence indicates ongoing threats. Military planners will continue to monitor ISIS movements closely, particularly in areas where governance remains weak.

Analysts caution that military action alone cannot eliminate the underlying conditions that allow extremist groups to survive. Long-term stability, they argue, depends on political solutions, economic recovery and inclusive governance — challenges that remain unresolved in Syria after more than a decade of conflict.

For now, the large-scale US strikes mark a significant escalation in counterterrorism operations, highlighting both the persistence of ISIS as a security threat and Washington’s determination to confront it.