• U.S. military strike in northwest Syria kills Al-Qaeda leader Bilal Hasan al-Jasim.
• The strike was part of "Operation Hawkeye Strike" following a deadly ambush.
• Three Americans were killed in the December 13 attack by an ISIS gunman.
• U.S. Central Command emphasizes ongoing efforts to pursue terrorists in the region.
• More than 100 ISIS targets have been hit under the ongoing operation.

A U.S. military strike conducted on Friday in northwest Syria resulted in the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated leader allegedly linked to an ambush by an ISIS gunman that killed two U.S. Army soldiers and one American civilian interpreter last month. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that al-Jasim was "directly connected" to the perpetrators of the December 13 attack which also injured three other service members, highlighting the U.S. resolve to pursue those who threaten American lives, according to CBS News and South China Morning Post.

This operation marked the third round of strikes targeting ISIS and related terrorist figures, ordered by President Donald Trump following the ambush which he described as an attack on "brave Americans." Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, affirmed that "there is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters," emphasizing the commitment to combat terrorism in the region, as noted by ABC News and NPR.

Operation "Hawkeye Strike," which has been underway since the ambush, has reportedly targeted over 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapon sites across Syria. CENTCOM confirmed that this operation involved coordinated efforts with regional partners, including cooperation with Syrian forces fighting alongside U.S. troops. The strikes have resulted in numerous captures and deaths of ISIS operatives in recent months, according to India Times and BBC.