A TOP al-Qaeda terrorist has been killed in Donald Trump’s latest round of Syrian airstrikes after an ISIS attack last month left three Americans dead.
Bilal Hasan al-Jasim – one of the suspected masterminds of the horrifying terror attack– was an “experienced terrorist leader” plotting against the US, the Pentagon said.
The terrifying December 13 assault killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter in Syria.
Trump responded swiftly by ordering three waves of retaliatory strikes – with the latest killing Jasim in the north-west of the country.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said: “Bilal Hasan al-Jasim was an experienced terrorist leader who plotted attacks and was directly connected with the ISIS gunman who killed and injured American and Syrian personnel last month in Palmyra, Syria.
CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said: “The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces.
“There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on X following the stunning operation: “We will never forget, and never relent.”
It comes after the US president vowed “serious retaliation” following the deadly terrorist attack in north-east Syria last month.
American-led forces were conducting counter-terrorism operations against the Islamic State when the terrorist opened fire.
Two US soldiers, Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and William Nathaniel Howard, as well as a civilian interpreter called Ayad Mansoor Sakat were killed.
In response Trump launched an operation against “ISIS thugs” – which has included multiple rounds of airstrikes against al-Qaeda targets across Syria.
The US military has hit at least 100 targets across the country following the terror attack, according to the Pentagon.
Trump’s forces launched “large-scale strikes” against multiple ISIS targets on January 11 – with extraordinary footage showing the sophisticated blitz.
US Central Command said American forces and regional partners launched the attacks at around 12.30pm Eastern Time as part of Operation Hawkeye Strike.
The assault was ordered directly by Trump in response to the December 13 ISIS ambush that killed two US soldiers and an American civilian interpreter.
CENTCOM said the operation formed part of Washington’s mission to “root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region.”
The US also launched airstrikes on December 19, killing at least seven ISIS fighters and capturing around a dozen more.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out 11 missions between December 20 and December 29, following initial air raids on ISIS weapons and infrastructure.
British forces have also launched fresh attacks on ISIS.
Earlier this month, RAF Typhoon jets carried out a joint strike with France on an ISIS-linked underground weapons complex near Palmyra.
The facility, hidden in mountainous terrain north of the ancient city, was identified as a former Daesh explosives store.
RAF aircraft, supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker, dropped precision-guided Paveway IV bombs on tunnel entrances leading into the site.
The strike was confirmed as successful by the Ministry of Defence.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the attack showed the UK’s “determination to work shoulder to shoulder with our allies” to stop ISIS returning.
“This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who threaten our way of life, shows how our Armed Forces stand ready all year round,” he said.
