US military strike kills al Qaeda leader in Syria after Americans murdered
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US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that an Al Qaeda-linked leader with direct links to the ISIS terrorist responsible for the killing of two US soldiers and an American translator on December 13 was killed in a US attack in northwestern Syria on Friday.
CENTCOM officials said Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who planned attacks and was “directly linked” to the ISIS gunman who killed and wounded American and Syrian personnel in Palmyra, Syria, last month.
“The death of a terrorist agent linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our determination to pursue terrorists who attack our forces,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “There is no safe place for those who organize, plan or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warriors. We will find you.”
CENTCOM launched large-scale strikes in Syria in response to the December 13 attack.
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On December 13, two Iowa National Guardsmen and an American translator were killed in an ISIS ambush attack in Syria. (History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images and Delil Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images)
Operation Hawkeye Strike resulted in U.S. and partner forces striking more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons range targets with more than 200 precision munitions.
According to CENTCOM, more than 300 ISIS militants were captured and more than 20 people were killed across Syria last year.
U.S. Special Representative for Syria Tom Barrack met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and members of his team in Damascus on January 10 to discuss the latest developments in Aleppo and the broad path forward for Syria’s historic transition.
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US forces are patrolling the town of Tel Maaruf in Syria’s northeastern Hasakah province. (Deli Souleiman/AFP via Getty Images)
In a statement about X, Barrack said President Donald Trump agreed to lift sanctions to “give Syria a chance to move forward.”
“The U.S. Government welcomes Syria’s historic transition and extends its support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Shara as it works to stabilize the country, rebuild national institutions, and fulfill the aspirations of all Syrians for peace, security, and prosperity,” Barrack wrote in his post.
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He stated that the Syrian government reaffirmed its commitment to the integration agreement signed with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in March 2025, but that the developments in Aleppo “which appear to challenge the terms of this agreement” are extremely worrying.
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“We call on all parties to show maximum restraint, immediately cease hostilities and return to dialogue in accordance with the agreements between the Syrian government and the SDF on March 10 and April 1, 2025,” Barrack said. he said. “Violence risks undermining the progress made since the fall of the Assad regime and invites foreign intervention that serves neither party’s interests. … The goal remains a sovereign, united Syria, at peace with itself and its neighbors, where equality, justice and opportunities extend to all its people.”
