Security
US strikes against ISIS: Leadership fear undermines group's operations
The threats posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria remain a grave concern for global security.
![Syrian partners provide security during the training event in Syria. The training focused on refining interoperability with Syrian partners and assessing the effectiveness of both forces in a joint environment. The Coalition is committed to building partner capacity and capabilities to maintain the lasting defeat of ISIS. [US Army]](/gc1/images/2026/01/07/53379-9166811-600_384.webp)
Al-Fassel |
Even as the self-declared caliphate collapsed years ago, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) persists through scattered extremists bent on regaining strength.
Because of this, coalition forces led by the US have carried out sustained military actions to destroy ISIS infrastructure and eliminate its leadership.
These operations are designed to prevent the group from rebuilding, regrouping, or restoring its ability to operate effectively across the region.
Recent operations reveal that the fear of lethal targeting has seriously degraded ISIS's ability to organize and plan large-scale operations.
Coalition pressure destroys ISIS capabilities
US and coalition forces have relentlessly targeted ISIS weapons caches, command centers and hideouts across Syria.
In late 2025, Operation Hawkeye Strike saw the US and partners hit more than 70 ISIS targets with precision munitions, eliminating weapons sites and key infrastructure.
Additionally, follow-on missions after that campaign killed or captured nearly 25 ISIS operatives and destroyed four weapons caches.
This sustained pressure has deprived ISIS of safe places to hide, organize and operate.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that, in the past year, coalition operations resulted in the detention of more than 119 ISIS fighters across multiple areas.
Additionally, CENTCOM confirmed that 14 ISIS members were killed, including senior leaders responsible for planning and coordinating terrorist attacks.
Strikes have destroyed not only physical infrastructure, but also the communication networks that ISIS uses to plan and coordinate actions.
Because leaders know they can be precisely targeted at any time, many remain in hiding or have been killed or captured.
For example, a senior ISIS leader and his two adult sons were killed during a coalition raid in northern Syria in 2025.
The operation delivered a significant blow to the extremist organization's command structure and disrupted its ability to coordinate leadership and operational planning.
Leadership fear
The fear of being targeted has fundamentally shifted ISIS's priorities from planning widespread attacks to simply surviving.
Intelligence gained from strikes and raids has disrupted ISIS's ability to coordinate across Syria and beyond.
Coalition forces have seized advanced weaponry and explosives, further narrowing the group's operational scope.
Experts note that the relentless targeting of ISIS leaders limits their freedom of movement and communication, forcing them to prioritize defense over strategy.
This focused approach enhances regional and global security by directly degrading ISIS's command structure and dissuading militants from attempting to rebuild.
Continued coalition efforts will be essential to ensure that ISIS remains on the defensive and unable to mount new campaigns.