The United States military has carried out a third strike in Syria in response to a deadly ambush that killed three Americans last month. US Central Command confirmed the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader linked to the attack. The strike, conducted on January 16 in northwest Syria, targeted al-Jasim, described as a senior terrorist figure with direct ties to the ISIS gunman responsible for the December 13 ambush in Palmyra, Syria.
“We will never forget, and never relent,” stated Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, emphasized the resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack US forces. He stated, “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”
Al-Jasim, an experienced terrorist leader, was directly connected to the ISIS gunman who carried out the Palmyra ambush. US officials highlighted that the gunman killed two US service members and an American interpreter during the attack, which also injured other American and Syrian personnel. This strike marked the latest phase of a series of US military actions in Syria following the December attack.
CENTCOM described the latest operation as part of a broader campaign launched after the December 13 attack. The operation, named Hawkeye Strike, involved large-scale strikes aimed at degrading ISIS capabilities across Syria. US and partner forces have conducted over 100 strikes on ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites using more than 200 precision munitions as part of the operation.
