Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria: US says killed terrorist linked to Palmyra attack

Key Highlights

• Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD U. S.
• Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 17, 2026More from World US & allies carry out another 'large-scale' strike on Islamic State targets in Syria What weapons and military force could Trump use against Iran?The American forces noted that Bilal Hasan al-Jasim “was an experienced terrorist leader” and “was directly connected” to the ISIS gunman who killed two US service members and a civilian interpreter on December 13, 2025, in Palmyra, Syria. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to CENTCOM’s post, writing “We will never forget, and never relent.” It is pertient to note that the United States has been targeting ISIS in Syria after the deadly ambush through a series of strikes under the campaign titled “Operation Hawkeye Strike.”ISIS remains the US’s targetIn the Saturday statment, CENTCOM said that the operation has hit more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets.
• Hundreds of American troops continue to be deployed in Syria as part of the US’s long-standing mission to combat ISIS. It is important to note that as of now, ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the December attack that killed the two US service members and a civilian interpreter.
• According to CNN, Syria’s Ministry of Interior Affairs said the attacker was a part of the country’s Internal Security Service. However, the Syrian leadership was quick to distance the gunman from the country’s fledgling government, which has received strong American support in recent months. Follow Firstpost on Google.
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