The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Saturday that a U.S. military operation successfully eliminated a key al Qaeda leader in northwest Syria. This individual had direct connections with an ISIS militant responsible for the deaths of two U.S. service members and an American interpreter in a December 13 attack.

According to CENTCOM, Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was a seasoned terrorist orchestrator, closely linked to the ISIS gunman who carried out the deadly assault on American and Syrian personnel in Palmyra, Syria, last month.

Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of CENTCOM, stated, “The elimination of a terrorist figure tied to the deaths of three Americans underscores our commitment to tracking down those who target our forces. There is no refuge for individuals who engage in, plan, or inspire attacks against American citizens and military personnel. We will locate you.”

This operation was part of a series of significant strikes initiated by CENTCOM in retaliation for the December 13 attack.

That ambush resulted in the deaths of two Iowa National Guardsmen and an American interpreter, highlighting the ongoing threats faced by U.S. personnel in the region.

Operation Hawkeye Strike resulted in U.S. and partner forces hitting more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets with over 200 precision munitions.

More than 300 ISIS operatives were captured and more than 20 were killed across Syria within the past year, according to CENTCOM.

U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and members of their team in Damascus on Jan. 10 to discuss recent developments in Aleppo and the broader path forward for Syria’s historic transition.

US forces patrol the town of Tel Maaruf, in Syria’s northeastern Hasakeh province. (Delil Souleiman / AFP via Getty Images)

In a statement on X, Barrack said President Donald Trump agreed to lift sanctions in order to “give Syria a chance” to move forward. 

“The United States Government welcomes Syria’s historic transition and extends its support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as it works to stabilize the country, rebuild national institutions, and fulfill the aspirations of all Syrians for peace, security, and prosperity,” Barrack wrote in the post.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR CONDEMNS ALLEGED SYRIAN ARMY ABUSES AS CEASEFIRE FOLLOWS ALEPPO FIGHTING 

He added Syrian government has reaffirmed its commitment to the March 2025 integration agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), but called developments in Aleppo that “appear to challenge the terms of this agreement,” deeply concerning.

“We urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, immediately cease hostilities, and return to dialogue in accordance with the March 10 and April 1, 2025 agreements between the Syrian government and the SDF,” Barrack wrote. “Violence risks undermining the progress achieved since the fall of the Assad regime and invites external interference that serves no party’s interests. … The objective remains a sovereign, unified Syria—at peace with itself and its neighbors—where equality, justice, and opportunity are extended to all its people.”