U.S. Forces Eliminate Al-Qaeda-Affiliated Leader in Northwest Syria

National News - U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the death of a terrorist leader in northwest Syria following a strike conducted on January 16. The target was identified as a leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda. This individual had direct ties to an ISIS terrorist responsible for a fatal ambush in late 2025.

The leader was identified as Bilal Hasan al-Jasim. He was described as an experienced terrorist leader involved in plotting attacks. Investigations linked him to the ISIS gunman responsible for an ambush on December 13, 2025.

That attack resulted in the deaths of two U.S. service members and an American interpreter. Al-Jasim was also connected to incidents that injured American and Syrian personnel in Palmyra, Syria, last month.

This recent strike is part of a broader response to the December 13 attack. CENTCOM initiated Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria following the ambush.

During this operation, U.S. and partner forces targeted more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites. Over 200 precision munitions were utilized in the response.

Operational data from the past year indicates continued activity by U.S. and partner forces in the region. More than 300 ISIS operatives have been captured, and over 20 have been killed across Syria.

These operations are intended to remove terrorists posing direct threats to the United States and regional security.