U.S. forces conducted a strike in northwest Syria on January 16 that killed a leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda who had direct ties to an ISIS terrorist responsible for a December ambush that killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter, U.S. Central Command announced Saturday.
CENTCOM identified the individual as Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, describing him as an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected to the ISIS gunman responsible for the December 13, 2025, attack in Palmyra, Syria.
“The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”
CENTCOM said the January 16 strike followed large-scale U.S. military operations launched in response to the December attack. The response, known as Operation Hawkeye Strike, resulted in U.S. and partner forces striking more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets using over 200 precision munitions.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Operation Hawkeye Strike began in December following the Palmyra ambush and continued into January with retaliatory airstrikes targeting ISIS militants and infrastructure across multiple locations in Syria as fighting persisted in Aleppo.
According to CENTCOM, U.S. and partner forces have also captured more than 300 ISIS operatives and killed over 20 across Syria during the past year, removing individuals who posed a direct threat to U.S. and regional security.
Separately, diplomatic activity has continued as Syria undergoes political changes following the fall of the Assad regime. On January 10, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and members of their team in Damascus to discuss developments in Aleppo and the broader path forward for the country.
In a statement posted on X, Barrack said President Donald Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Syria in order to “give Syria a chance” to move forward.
“The United States Government welcomes Syria’s historic transition and extends its support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as it works to stabilize the country, rebuild national institutions, and fulfill the aspirations of all Syrians for peace, security, and prosperity,” Barrack wrote.
Barrack said the Syrian government has reaffirmed its commitment to a March 2025 integration agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces but described recent developments in Aleppo that “appear to challenge the terms of this agreement” as deeply concerning.
“We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately cease hostilities, and return to dialogue in accordance with the March 10 and April 1, 2025 agreements between the Syrian government and the SDF,” Barrack wrote. “Violence risks undermining the progress achieved since the fall of the Assad regime and invites external interference that serves no party’s interests.”
He said the United States remains focused on supporting a sovereign and unified Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors.
