U.S. strike in Syria kills al-Qaeda-linked leader tied to ambush of U.S. soldiers

A U.S. military strike in northwest Syria killed an al-Qaeda–affiliated leader with direct ties to an ISIS attacker who carried out a deadly ambush that killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter in December, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM said the strike was conducted on Friday and resulted in the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim. The command said al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected to the ISIS gunman responsible for the Dec. 13 ambush in Palmyra, Syria, that killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter.

The response is part of operation Hawkeye Strike, in which U.S. and partner forces have targeted more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites across Syria in response to the Palmyra attack.

The command said U.S. and partner forces have also captured more than 300 ISIS operatives and killed more than 20 others across Syria over the past year, actions it said removed individuals who posed a direct threat to U.S. personnel and regional security.

“The death of a terrorist operative linked the death of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” said Brad Cooper, the commander of CENTCOM. “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”