‘An experienced terrorist’: US says Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader killed in Syria; third round of retaliatory strikes

US forces have killed a senior Al-Qaeda-affiliated operative in northwest Syria during a retaliatory strike linked to last month’s ambush that claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a civilian interpreter, US officials said.

The strike, confirmed by US Central Command on Friday, targeted Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, whom officials described as “an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected” to the December 13 assault. The ambush killed Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat.




CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the operation underscored Washington’s determination to pursue those responsible for attacks on US personnel. “The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” he said. “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”

The strike marked the third wave of US retaliation ordered by American President Donald Trump following the attack, forming part of a wider campaign aimed at “ISIS thugs” attempting to reorganise after the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar Assad a year ago.

The Republican president has said Syrian forces were fighting alongside US troops as cooperation expands under the anti-ISIS coalition, and noted that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was “extremely angry and disturbed by this attack."

According to CENTCOM, the ongoing operation, codenamed “Hawkeye Strike,” has seen the US and allied forces, including Jordan and Syria, hit more than 100 Islamic State infrastructure and weapons targets.