The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that it conducted a strike in northwestern Syria, resulting in the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, identified as a terrorist leader associated with Al-Qaeda.
The statement revealed al-Jasim's connections to an ISIS member responsible for a December 13, 2025 ambush in Palmyra, Syria, which claimed the lives of two American soldiers and a U.S. interpreter.
CENTCOM described al-Jasim as a "seasoned terrorist leader" with a direct link to the ISIS assailant who targeted U.S. and Syrian personnel last month. Admiral Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, emphasized that the death of the alleged terrorist leader "demonstrates" the U.S.'s resolve to pursue those who threaten its forces.
"There is no safe haven for those who execute, plan, or inspire attacks against American citizens and our troops. We will find you," Cooper declared in the statement.
The announcement placed the strike within a larger campaign in Syria following the December ambush. CENTCOM reported that the U.S. launched "large-scale" attacks in response, under the operation named "Hawkeye Strike," where American and allied forces targeted over 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapon sites with more than 200 precision munitions.
Moreover, CENTCOM confirmed that throughout the past year, U.S. and allied forces have captured over 300 ISIS operatives and eliminated more than 20 across Syria, asserting that these individuals posed a direct threat to the United States and regional security.
The attack in Palmyra by an alleged ISIS militant resulted in the deaths of three Americans—two soldiers and a civilian interpreter—and injured three others, prompting then-President Donald Trump to vow "serious reprisals."
The incident occurred during a joint operation by U.S. and Syrian forces as they engaged in an “activity with a key leader,” as confirmed by the Pentagon in a CENTCOM statement.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that the attacker was neutralized by allied Syrian forces and issued a stern warning to terrorist groups considering attacks on Americans.
U.S. Military Operations Against ISIS in Syria
What was the objective of Operation Hawkeye Strike?
Operation Hawkeye Strike aimed to dismantle ISIS infrastructure and weapon sites in response to the December ambush in Palmyra, Syria, involving U.S. and allied forces targeting over 100 sites with precision munitions.
Who was Bilal Hasan al-Jasim and why was he targeted?
Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was a terrorist leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda, linked to an ISIS member responsible for an ambush that killed two American soldiers and a U.S. interpreter. His actions posed a direct threat to U.S. forces.
What was the reaction of the U.S. leadership to the attack in Palmyra?
The attack prompted President Donald Trump to promise "serious reprisals," and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a strong warning to terrorist groups against targeting Americans.