US confirms killing of al-Qaeda-affiliated leader in Syria operation

US Conducts Air Strike in Northwest Syria, Kills Al-Qaeda-Linked Individual

A strike by US forces in northwestern Syria on Friday resulted in the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an individual with ties to an ISIL (ISIS) member involved in a deadly ambush of US personnel last month. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that al-Jasim was “directly connected” to the ISIS gunman who killed and injured American and Syrian personnel on December 13.

According to CENTCOM, the strike occurred a day earlier and targeted al-Jasim. The statement from CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper emphasized that those responsible for attacks on US citizens and warfighters will be found and held accountable.

Since the deadly attack on US forces in Palmyra, Syria, the US has conducted a series of large-scale strikes in the region. According to CENTCOM, over 100 ISIL “infrastructure and weapons” sites have been targeted since the launch of the retaliatory operation in December. Additionally, more than 300 ISIS operatives have been captured, and over 20 have been killed across Syria during the past year.

US President Donald Trump had previously stated that significant damage would be inflicted on those responsible for the deadly attack on US troops. The strike in northwestern Syria is part of a broader military response to the incident.

Source: Al Jazeera