American forces have announced the killing of a senior Al-Qaeda operative in northeastern Syria. The individual, identified as Bilal Hassan al-Jassim, was reportedly linked to a recent attack in Palmyra, Homs province, where US personnel were targeted.
According to a statement released by US Central Command on Saturday, al-Jassim had “direct ties” to an Islamic State militant involved in the December 13th ambush. This attack resulted in casualties among both American and Syrian personnel.
“The death of this terrorist, connected to the attack that killed three Americans, demonstrates our resolve to pursue those who target our forces,” stated US Central Command Commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, in the official release.
The statement further highlighted the US military’s ongoing operations against ISIS targets in Syria. Since the December attack, American and partner forces have reportedly struck over 100 ISIS locations, deploying more than 200 precision-guided munitions.
Over the past year, US forces and their allies have apprehended over 300 ISIS operatives and eliminated more than 20 others across Syria. These actions underscore the continued commitment to combating terrorism and maintaining regional security following the December 13th attack.
The US military has been actively conducting strikes within Syria in response to the December 13th attack.
