US kills Al-Qaeda leader tied to Palmyra attack that killed 3 Americans

Washington: The US military said it carried out a strike in northwest Syria on January 16, killing a leader it described as affiliated with Al-Qaeda and linked to last month’s ambush in Palmyra that left three Americans dead. US Central Command (CENTCOM) identified the target as Bilal Hasan al-Jasim and said he had direct ties to the ISIS gunman blamed for the December 13 attack that killed two US service members and an American civilian interpreter.

CENTCOM said al-Jasim was an experienced militant figure who plotted attacks and was directly connected to the ISIS gunman who carried out the Palmyra ambush, which also injured other American and Syrian personnel. US officials described the January 16 operation as the third retaliatory strike in Syria since the December attack.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the United States would not “forget” or “relent.” CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said the strike showed US resolve to pursue militants who attack American forces, adding that there is “no safe place” for those who plan or inspire such attacks.

CENTCOM said the latest action falls under a broader effort it calls Hawkeye Strike, launched after the December 13 ambush to degrade ISIS capabilities across Syria. The command said US and partner forces have hit more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons-related sites using more than 200 precision munitions, and have also intensified ground operations, capturing more than 300 ISIS operatives and killing over 20 militants during the past year.

The report said the US maintains several hundred troops in Syria for counter-ISIS operations and support to partner forces, while warning that personnel remain vulnerable to attacks by ISIS cells and affiliated extremist groups. It added that the US has continued periodic airstrikes and raids in Syria in recent years targeting ISIS leaders it says pose an imminent threat to US forces, allies, or regional stability.

(Inputs from IANS)