By Micah Jonah
January 11, 2026
The United States military said it carried out multiple strikes across Syria on Saturday, targeting Islamic State fighters, as part of an ongoing operation launched in December – following a deadly attack on American personnel.
In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the strikes targeted Islamic State positions across Syria and were conducted in the early afternoon, U.S. Eastern Time. The military did not disclose whether the strikes resulted in any casualties, and the Pentagon declined to provide further details. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The strikes form part of a broader campaign by a U.S. led coalition that has carried out airstrikes and ground operations against Islamic State suspects in recent months, often working alongside Syrian security forces.
According to U.S. officials, the current operation was launched after Islamic State militants killed American personnel in Syria on December 13. The U.S. military said two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in that incident.
About 1,000 U.S. troops remain deployed in Syria as part of efforts to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State, which once controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq before being territorially defeated.
Syria is currently governed by a coalition of former rebel groups that overthrew longtime President, Bashar al Assad in 2024 after a 13 year civil war. The current leadership includes former members of Syria’s previous Al Qaeda affiliate who later broke away from the group, fought against Islamic State.
The Syrian government has been cooperating with the U.S. led coalition in counterterrorism efforts. This cooperation was formalized last year, following an agreement reached during a visit to Washington by Syrian President, Ahmed al Sharaa.
U.S. officials say operations against Islamic State will continue as long as the group poses a threat to regional stability and American personnel.
