At a Glance
- U.S. forces killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim in northwest Syria on Friday
- Al-Jasim was tied to the Dec. 13 ambush that killed two U.S. troops and an interpreter
- Operation Hawkeye Strike has hit 100+ ISIS targets with 200+ precision munitions since December
- Why it matters: The strike signals continued U.S. pursuit of terrorists who target Americans
A U.S. counterterrorism strike in northwest Syria on Friday killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an Al-Qaeda affiliate leader linked to last month’s ISIS ambush that left three Americans dead, U.S. Central Command announced Sunday.
Target Had Direct Role in Deadly Ambush
Al-Jasim was described by the military as “an experienced terrorist leader” who plotted attacks and was directly connected to the shooter in the Dec. 13 ISIS ambush in Palmyra, Syria, according to a CENTCOM news release.
That attack killed:
- Two U.S. service members
- One American interpreter
Additional American and Syrian personnel were injured, U.S. officials said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on X in December that U.S. partner forces killed the person who carried out the attack.
Commanders Vow No Safe Haven for Attackers
“The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, in a statement Saturday. “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”
President Donald Trump vowed retaliation following the December ambush, calling it “an ISIS attack against the U.S.” The Defense Department said the incident occurred during a counterterrorism engagement.
Hawkeye Strike Expands Campaign
Last week, the U.S. continued large-scale strikes in Syria as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike. The operation has seen U.S. and partner forces hit more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets “with over 200 precision munitions,” Central Command said. The strikes began in December when U.S. forces targeted ISIS strongholds in Syria.
Over the past year, the U.S. and partner forces have:
- Captured more than 300 ISIS operatives
- Killed over 20 across Syria
These actions removed “terrorists who posed a direct threat to the United States and regional security,” the news release said.
Islamic State, known as both IS and ISIS, has been designated a “terrorist group” by the United Nations and several countries, including the United States.
