The United States military has carried out a targeted strike in northwest Syria that killed a senior militant leader affiliated with Al‑Qaeda, who officials say was directly tied to a December ambush that killed three American personnel — two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter. The strike marks a continuation of U.S. counter-terror operations in Syria and underscores Washington’s commitment to pursuing those responsible for attacks on its forces.
US Central Command Confirms Strike and Target
According to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strike was carried out in northwest Syria on Friday, resulting in the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, whom military officials described as “an experienced terrorist leader” with direct ties to the gunman involved in the 13 December 2025 ambush near Palmyra.
In a statement, CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the operation demonstrates the United States’ resolve to pursue terrorists who attack American forces, asserting:
“There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters.”
Link to December 2025 Palmyra Attack
The December ambush near Palmyra, Syria, killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, and an American interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat, while injuring additional U.S. and Syrian personnel during a routine mission. The attack — attributed to an individual reportedly aligned with the Islamic State (IS) group — represented one of the deadliest assaults on U.S. forces in Syria in recent years.
CENTCOM officials stated that al-Jasim had direct connections to the IS gunman involved in that ambush, which spurred a series of retaliatory actions by U.S. forces.
Part of Broader Counter-ISIS Campaign
The strike is part of a sustained U.S. military campaign in Syria known as Operation Hawkeye Strike, initiated in the aftermath of the Palmyra attack. The operation has included:
- Targeting over 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites.
- The use of more than 200 precision-guided munitions against terror targets.
- Coordination with partner forces in the region.
CENTCOM has also reported that previous missions under this campaign have led to the killing or capture of dozens of suspected IS members since December 2025.
US Policy and Strategic Goals in Syria
The United States continues to maintain a counter-terrorism presence in Syria, even as the broader conflict’s dynamics have shifted following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024 and ongoing efforts to stabilize the region. President Donald Trump and U.S. military officials have emphasized that strikes like this are aimed at preventing regrouping efforts by extremist groups and safeguarding both American troops and local partner forces.
Defense officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have reiterated that the U.S. will continue to target those who endanger American lives and regional security.
Regional Context and Continued Risks
Despite significant territorial losses for the Islamic State, ISIS and associated extremist networks remain active in parts of Syria, especially in areas where governance and security are fragile. U.S. forces and local partners continue to face threats from remnants of ISIS and other militant groups carrying out guerrilla-style attacks.
The ongoing U.S. counter-terror campaign seeks not only to punish those responsible for attacks on American personnel but also to disrupt returning or reorganizing terror cells and prevent future violence.
What Happens Next
The death of al-Jasim is the latest in a series of retaliatory strikes following the deadly December 2025 attack, but officials from CENTCOM stress that the campaign is far from over. U.S. military leadership has made clear that continued operations will focus on:
- Identifying and targeting extremist networks.
- Supporting regional stability efforts.
- Enhancing cooperation with Syrian and coalition partners in anti-ISIS operations.
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