US retaliatory strike in Syria kills Al-Qaeda-linked leader tied to December ambush
The United States has carried out another retaliatory strike in northwest Syria , killing an Al-Qaeda–affiliated militant leader whom American officials say was directly linked to the December 2025 ambush that killed two US soldiers and an American civilian interpreter, underscoring Washington’s hard-line counter-terrorism policy under President Donald Trump.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the precision airstrike on Friday targeted Bilal Hasan al-Jasim in northwestern Syria. While officials did not reveal the exact coordinates or the weapon system used, they confirmed that the operation employed precision-guided munitions launched from US aircraft, consistent with the methods used in recent counter-terrorism strikes in the region.
According to CENTCOM, al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist commander affiliated with Al-Qaeda-aligned networks , responsible for planning, facilitation and coordination of attacks. US officials said intelligence assessments linked him operationally to the Islamic State member who carried out the December 13 ambush , including logistical support and pre-attack coordination, though specific intelligence details were not made public.
The December ambush, which took place in central Syria , killed Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat , marking one of the deadliest attacks on Americans in Syria in recent years and prompting a series of US retaliatory actions.
“The death of a terrorist operative linked to the killing of three Americans demonstrates our resolve to pursue those who attack our forces,” CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said, adding that there was “no safe place” for those who plot or inspire attacks on US personnel.
Independent monitoring groups reported an airstrike in parts of Aleppo governorate around the same time, though identities of those killed could not be independently verified. CENTCOM said initial assessments found no civilian casualties , and that the strike was carried out after extensive review to minimise harm to civilians. There were no immediate reports of civilian deaths from local authorities or monitoring organisations.
The strike forms part of a broader US-led counter-terror campaign, Operation Hawkeye Strike , ordered by President Trump following the December ambush. CENTCOM said the operation has involved US forces and partners, including Jordan and Syrian security forces , targeting Islamic State infrastructure, leadership and weapons caches across Syria.
According to the latest CENTCOM figures, the operation has so far struck more than 100 Islamic State sites , used over 200 precision munitions , and resulted in the killing of more than 20 militants and the detention of hundreds of suspected IS operatives .
The US has said it is targeting both Islamic State operatives and Al-Qaeda-linked leaders because it views them as part of an interconnected extremist ecosystem , particularly as militant groups attempt to regroup following the ouster of former Syrian leader Bashar Assad about a year ago.
Syria’s new government condemned terrorism and expressed condolences over the deaths of the American personnel, while also reiterating calls for respect for Syrian sovereignty. Jordan , a key US ally, reaffirmed its commitment to counter-terror cooperation while stressing the need to avoid civilian harm.
The latest strike highlights the Trump administration’s continued focus on aggressive counter-terrorism and force protection in Syria, even as analysts warn that repeated retaliatory strikes risk escalation, militant fragmentation and prolonged instability in an already volatile region.