Overview
- CENTCOM said a Jan. 16 strike in northwest Syria killed Bilal Hasan al‑Jasim, described as an experienced terrorist leader affiliated with al‑Qaeda.
- U.S. officials said al‑Jasim had direct ties to the ISIS gunman behind the Dec. 13 Palmyra attack that killed Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres‑Tovar and interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
- CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said the killing demonstrates U.S. resolve to pursue attackers of American forces, vowing there is no safe place for them.
- The strike is part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, under which U.S. and partner forces have hit more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons sites with over 200 precision munitions.
- CENTCOM reported more than 300 ISIS operatives captured and over 20 killed in Syria over the past year, with multiple outlets describing this strike as the third retaliatory round since Dec. 13.