US Kills Al-Qaeda Leader Linked to December ISIS Attack in Syria

U.S. Central Command announced that a strike in northwest Syria on January 16 killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader linked to a December 13 ISIS ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter in Palmyra. The operation, part of a broader campaign named "Hawkeye Strike," targets ISIS infrastructure and aims to prevent further attacks. CENTCOM emphasized its commitment to pursuing those who threaten American forces, with cooperation from regional partners continuing amid ongoing counterterrorism efforts.