US strike in Syria kills leader tied to Isis ambush that left 3 Americans dead
Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was allegedly ‘directly connected’ to the incident, which has sparked a series of retaliatory attacks by US forces
A third round of retaliatory strikes by the US in Syria resulted in the death of an al-Qaeda-affiliated leader, who officials say had a direct tie to the Islamic State member responsible for last month’s ambush that killed two US soldiers and one American civilian interpreter in the country.
US Central Command announced that the strike in northwest Syria on Friday killed Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, who they claim was “an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected” to the December 13 attack that killed Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and civilian interpreter Ayad Mansoor Sakat.
“The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said in a statement.
“There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”
It was the latest strike as part of a broader US operation ordered by US President Donald Trump following the ambush of the Americans to target “Isis thugs” trying to regroup after the ousting of autocratic leader Bashar al-Assad a year ago.