U.S. kills al-Qaeda leader linked to ISIS ambush that killed Iowa Guardsmen in Syria – NaturalNews.com

• U.S. forces killed a senior al-Qaeda operative linked to a deadly December ambush in Syria.
• The ambush killed two Iowa National Guard soldiers and an American interpreter.
• President Trump delivered retaliatory strikes following the attack.
• Military leaders promise a relentless pursuit of anyone who targets American personnel.
• The operation occurs amid shifting U.S. engagement with Syria’s new post-Assad government.

U.S. forces have hunted down and killed a senior al-Qaeda terrorist directly connected to a December ambush in Syria that claimed the lives of two American soldiers and an interpreter. The January 16 strike in northeast Syria, announced by U.S. Central Command, took out Bilal Hasan al-Jasim, an experienced operative who plotted attacks and was tied to the ISIS gunman responsible for the deadly assault. This operation marks the third retaliatory strike following President Donald Trump’s pledge of “serious retaliation” and underscores a relentless campaign to hold terrorists accountable for targeting American personnel.

The attack that triggered this response occurred on December 13, in Palmyra, Syria. ISIS militants ambushed a patrol, killing Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, both members of the Iowa National Guard. An American interpreter was also killed, and three other Guardsmen were wounded. “Their mission was in support of ongoing counter-ISIS [and] counter-terrorism operations in the region,” Gen. Steven Nordhaus, head of the National Guard Bureau, said in a statement. “We honor their courage and sacrifice, and we will never forget them or their service.”

A promise of retaliation fulfilled

President Trump’s vow of a forceful response was swift. Shortly after the ambush, U.S. forces launched Operation Hawkeye Strike, a widespread bombardment targeting ISIS infrastructure across Syria. During that mission, U.S. and partner forces hit more than 100 ISIS targets with over 200 precision munitions. This broader campaign has, over the past year, led to the capture of more than 300 ISIS operatives and the killing of more than 20, according to CENTCOM.

The elimination of al-Jasim is a precise follow-up to those broader strikes. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper left no ambiguity about the message. “The death of a terrorist operative linked to the deaths of three Americans demonstrates our resolve in pursuing terrorists who attack our forces,” Cooper said. “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”

That sentiment was echoed at the highest levels of the Pentagon. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated, “Let it be known, if you target Americans—anywhere in the world—you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.”

A shifting landscape in Syria

The attack and response occur within a complex and evolving Syrian battlefield. The December ambush was the first major attack on U.S. service members since the fall of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Syria is now led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose government is attempting to stabilize a fractured nation. Trump noted that al-Sharaa was “devastated by what happened,” indicating a shared interest in combating terrorist remnants.

U.S. engagement with the new Syrian government continues. U.S. special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met with al-Sharaa in Damascus on January 10, discussing a path forward. In a statement, Barrack said the U.S. “welcomes Syria’s historic transition and extends its support to the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa as it works to stabilize the country.” This outreach includes the lifting of sanctions to give Syria the opportunity to rebuild, a significant shift in U.S. policy aimed at fostering a stable, unified Syria that can ultimately secure itself against groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda.

The human cost of these geopolitical maneuvers is felt deeply back home. Sgt. Howard was the son of the police chief for the Meskwaki Nation Police Department in Iowa. “Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer,” Chief Jeffrey Bunn wrote. “He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind.”

For the families in Iowa and for a nation watching a volatile region, the death of Bilal Hasan al-Jasim provides a measure of justice. It is a clear signal that the chain of command for terrorism, from the foot soldier to the plotting leader, will be severed. America’s warriors were targeted, and their attackers have been held to account. This relentless pursuit is the only language terrorists understand, a necessary defense of liberty against the forces of chaos that continually seek to fill power vacuums left by fallen dictators and failed states. The mission continues, but for two Iowa families, this strike affirms that their sons’ service and sacrifice triggered a righteous and unwavering response.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FoxNews.com

Reuters.com