A U.S. retaliatory strike in northwest Syria has killed an Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant leader with alleged links to last month’s ambush that left two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter dead, according to U.S. military officials.
U.S. Central Command said Friday’s strike killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, describing him as an experienced terrorist leader who had a direct connection to the December 13 attack that killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
“The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing those who attack our forces,” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement. “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plan or inspire attacks against American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”
The strike marked the third round of U.S. retaliatory action in Syria following the ambush. The broader operation was ordered by President Donald Trump to target Islamic State militants attempting to regroup after the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last year.
Trump has emphasized that Syrian security forces are now cooperating with U.S. troops as part of a coalition campaign against the militant group. He previously said Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, was “extremely angry and disturbed” by the attack on American personnel.
CENTCOM said the campaign, known as Operation Hawkeye Strike, has led U.S. forces and regional partners including Jordan and Syria to strike more than 100 Islamic State weapons depots and infrastructure sites.
