U.S. Central Command announced that a U.S. strike in northwest Syria on Friday eliminated a senior al Qaeda–affiliated operative who had direct ties to the ISIS terrorist responsible for a deadly ambush that killed three Americans last month.

According to CENTCOM, the terrorist leader, identified as Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, was directly connected to the ISIS gunman who carried out the December 13 attack near Palmyra, Syria, which killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter and wounded additional American and Syrian personnel.

CENTCOM described al-Jasim as an experienced terrorist leader who was actively involved in planning attacks against U.S. and coalition forces.

CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said the operation sends a clear message to terrorist groups operating in the region. “The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces. 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 was part of a broader U.S. response to the December attack. Following the ambush, CENTCOM launched large-scale operations across Syria under Operation Hawkeye Strike, targeting ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites.

CENTCOM said U.S. and partner forces struck more than 100 ISIS targets using over 200 precision munitions. Over the past year, more than 300 ISIS operatives have been captured and more than 20 killed during operations across Syria.

Separately, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met earlier this month in Damascus with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and senior officials to discuss developments in Aleppo and the country’s political transition.

Barrack later said that President Donald Trump agreed to lift U.S. sanctions to “give Syria a chance” to move forward, adding that the United States supports Syria’s transition and efforts to stabilize the country, rebuild institutions, and pursue peace and security for its people.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)