US, Jan 18 : The United States military has eliminated Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, a senior Al-Qaeda affiliated leader with direct ties to the ISIS ambush that killed two American soldiers and an interpreter in Syria last December, officials said. The strike was carried out in northwestern Syria on January 16 as part of ongoing counterterrorism operations.
Al-Jasim was linked to the December 13 attack in Palmyra, which claimed the lives of Sgt Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and Sgt William Nathaniel Howard of the Iowa National Guard, along with an American interpreter. Several US and Syrian personnel were also injured in the ambush. CENTCOM confirmed that al-Jasim had played a key role in plotting and facilitating terrorist operations in coordination with ISIS operatives responsible for the attack.
“The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said. “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”
The strike is part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, launched on December 19, 2025, at the direction of President Donald Trump, targeting over 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites across Syria using more than 200 precision-guided munitions. CENTCOM reported that in the past year, US and partner forces have captured more than 300 ISIS operatives and killed over 20 others in the region.
The operation underscores the US commitment to neutralize threats to American and allied forces, prevent future attacks, and degrade terrorist capabilities in Syria. CENTCOM emphasized that strikes will continue against individuals and groups seeking to harm US personnel or destabilize the region.