United States Carries Out Two More Strikes on Boats Suspected of Drug Smuggling

United States Carries Out Additional Strikes Abroad in Ongoing Military Campaigns

U.S. Launches New Airstrikes Against ISIS Targets in Syria

The United States military carried out fresh airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) militant positions in Syria on Saturday, January 10, 2026, expanding ongoing operations that began in late December. According to a statement from U.S. Central Command, multiple targets were struck as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, a continued effort to disrupt militant activity following a deadly attack on U.S. personnel in Palmyra in mid-December.

Military officials said the strikes occurred in coordination with partner forces and were directed at ISIS locations across central and eastern Syria. The U.S. Central Command said the operation was meant to pursue militants responsible for attacks against American and allied forces and to prevent future attacks. Full details regarding casualties or damage were not released by U.S. authorities.

Background on Operation Hawkeye Strike

Operation Hawkeye Strike was initiated in December 2025 after an ambush in Palmyra, Syria, killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter. Since then, U.S. forces have targeted ISIS infrastructure, including suspected weapons caches, training camps, and logistical hubs across the region under the broader authorization of the U.S. defense leadership. The strikes reflect a sustained effort by U.S. forces to degrade the militant group’s ability to conduct attacks against U.S. and partner interests in the region.

Officials emphasized that the U.S. campaign in Syria remains part of a long-term strategy to counter violent extremist organizations in the region. While the U.S. military has struck dozens of targets since the initiative began in December, the broader coalition effort continues to involve intelligence sharing and operational coordination with local and regional partners.

Other U.S. Military Operations in Late 2025

In addition to the strikes in Syria, the United States conducted coordinated military actions in other regions in late 2025. For example, on December 25, 2025, U.S. forces conducted airstrikes targeting Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria’s Sokoto State, in cooperation with Nigerian security forces. These operations were aimed at countering violent extremist groups in the region under broader counterterrorism objectives.

The U.S. military also carried out operations against suspected drug-smuggling vessels in international waters throughout the Caribbean Basin and eastern Pacific Ocean in late 2025. These strikes have been part of an escalating campaign to disrupt trafficking networks that U.S. officials say pose significant threats due to their links to organized criminal and extremist activity.

Taken together, these actions demonstrate an ongoing pattern of U.S. military engagement abroad aimed at countering a range of threats, from extremist militant groups in the Middle East and Africa to criminal networks in maritime regions. Authorities have emphasized that these operations continue under current legal authorities and strategic directives issued by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Reactions and Strategic Outlook

The recent military actions have prompted varied responses from international partners and regional governments. Some leaders have expressed support for efforts to combat extremist groups and disrupt trafficking operations, while others have urged caution and transparency regarding the legal basis and long-term implications of U.S. military engagements abroad.

For now, the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command maintain that the operations are necessary measures to protect U.S. personnel, prevent future attacks, and uphold regional security commitments. As military activities continue, officials have signaled that further operations may be carried out as needed in response to evolving threats.