U.S. forces kill al-Qaeda-affiliated leader linked to ambush of Americans in Syria, officials say

US military strike in northwest Syria kills al-Qaeda-affiliated leader linked to an ISIS attack last month which resulted in the deaths of two US Army soldiers and an American civilian interpreter, the US Central Command announced on Saturday.

US Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, carried out the strike on January 16, killing Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, authorities said. Al-Jasim reportedly directly linked to ISIS shooter who killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and the interpreter and injured three other American service members in Palmyra, Syria, on December 13.

“The death of a terrorist linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve to pursue terrorists who attack our forces,” Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said in a statement. “There is no safe place for those who lead, plot or inspire attacks against American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”

After last month’s ambush, President Trump promised “very serious retaliation” in an article in Truth Social.

On December 19, the US launches airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria in retaliation. More than 70 targets were hit during these strikes, a US official told CBS News at the time.

Last week, the United States launched other attacks in Syria, carrying out large-scale strikes against several Islamic State targets, according to central command. In total, Operation Hawkeye Strike allowed U.S. and partner forces to strike more than 100 ISIS infrastructure targets and weapons sites, officials said.

In an earlier statement Saturday, Cooper said the United States welcomed efforts by all parties in Syria “to prevent escalation and seek a solution through dialogue” and urged the Syrian government to cease attacks in areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa.

“Aggressively pursuing ISIS and relentlessly applying military pressure requires teamwork among Syrian partners, in coordination with U.S. and coalition forces. A Syria at peace with itself and with its neighbors is essential to peace and stability in the region,” Cooper said.