The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has released the first video of the AGM-114R9X Hellfire missile, also known as the “Flying Ginsu.” This top-secret variant is built for precise hits with as little collateral damage as possible.
The footage, published on Saturday, documents a February 23 airstrike in northwestern Syria that targeted and killed Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, a senior military leader in the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Hurras al-Din.
CENTCOM Forces Kill the Senior Military Leader of Al-Qaeda Affiliate Hurras al-Din (HaD) in Syria
On Feb. 23, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria, targeting and killing Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, the senior military leader of… pic.twitter.com/trhDvgdgne
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2025
Unlike traditional Hellfire missiles, the R9X does not carry an explosive warhead. Instead, it deploys six sword-like blades just before impact, allowing it to eliminate a specific target without causing a large explosion or significant destruction to the surrounding area.
The video shows a vehicle moving along a road in Idlib province before being struck. Instead of an explosion, a cruciform glow appears at the point of impact, and the vehicle slows down before coming to a stop.
Evidence of the use of the Flying Ginsu was limited to damage assessments and missile fragments recovered from the site, which displayed the AGM-114R9X model number.
#Syria: US just carried out another drone strike in #Idlib province.
A car near Killi was targeted with multiple Ninja R9X missiles.
The driver is dead. pic.twitter.com/DscpWxzTfC— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) February 23, 2025
#Syria: fragments of the missiles used today by US to kill a former Horas Al-Din member near Killi (N. #Idlib).
Those Hellfire missiles (R9X) use blades instead of explosives.
Impact point in the vehicle also pictured. pic.twitter.com/i1N0BExedE— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) February 23, 2025
General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command said the recent CENTCOM strike is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist activities and protect the U.S., its allies, and regional partners.
“As we have said in the past, we will continue to relentlessly pursue these terrorists in order to defend our homeland, and U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region,” said Kurilla.
Hurras al-Din was established in 2018 and was designated a terrorist organization by the United States in 2019. Despite the group’s announcement last month that it would dissolve in accordance with directives from al-Qaeda leadership, U.S. officials assert that remnants of the group still pose a significant threat.
The U.S. has carried out several airstrikes against the group in recent weeks. An airstrike carried out on February 15 targeted and killed a senior finance and logistics official from the group. It followed another targeted strike on January 30, which killed Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir, a high-ranking member of Hurras al-Din.
CENTCOM Forces Kill Senior Operative of Al-Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din
On Fed. 15, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria targeting and killing a senior finance and logistics official in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din… pic.twitter.com/MTsJ5TbIe1
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 16, 2025
