WASHINGTON, Jan 17 (KUNA) -- US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Saturday it conducted a strike in northwest Syria yesterday, that resulted in the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, a leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
Al-Jasim had direct ties to an ISIS terrorist responsible for an ambush which killed two US service members and an American interpreter on December 13, 2025.
He was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected with the ISIS gunman who killed and injured American and Syrian personnel last month in Palmyra, Syria, according to a CENTCOM statement.
"The death of a terrorist operative linked the death of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces," said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
"There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you," Cooper added.
CENTCOM launched large-scale strikes in Syria in response to the December 13 attack.
The operation, dubbed Hawkeye Strike, resulted in US and partner forces hitting more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets with over 200 precision munitions, the statement noted.
Additionally, US and partner forces have captured more than 300 ISIS operatives and killed over 20 across Syria during the past year, removing terrorists who posed a direct threat to the United States and regional security. (end) amm.gb