The U.S. carried out a strike in Syria that killed Bilal Hasan al‑Jasim, an al‑Qaeda leader connected to the ISIS gunman responsible for the Dec. 13 Palmyra attack that killed two U.S. service members and a U.S. interpreter, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Saturday.
“Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected with the ISIS gunman who killed and injured American and Syrian personnel last month in Palmyra, Syria,” CENTCOM said.
The strike is part of Operation Hawkeye, launched following the Palmyra attack. Since its inception, the operation has targeted more than 100 ISIS sites.
“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 Adm. 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.”
“We will never forget, and we will never relent,” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said regarding the recent strikes.
We will never forget, and never relent. https://t.co/0xi3L3swDf
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) January 17, 2026
CENTCOM said that U.S. and partner forces have killed over 20 ISIS operatives and captured more than 300 across Syria in the past year. Hundreds of American troops remain deployed in the country as part of the U.S.’ long-running mission to combat ISIS.
