Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New From CENTCOM: Al-Qaeda Leader Behind U.S. Ambush by ISIS in Syria Eliminated
Red State ^ | 01/17/2026 | Ward Clark

Posted on 01/17/2026 8:46:03 PM PST by SeekAndFind

On Saturday, we learned from the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) that an Al-Qaeda affiliate who was in part responsible for the attack last December, which resulted in the deaths of two American service members and an interpreter, has been located in Syria and removed from play. Permanently.

https://t.co/kTqYU5xMb4— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 17, 2026

The CENTCOM release states:

U.S.  Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a strike in northwest Syria on Jan. 16, that resulted in the death of a leader affiliated with Al-Qaeda who had direct ties to an ISIS terrorist responsible for an ambush which killed two U.S. service members and an American interpreter on Dec. 13, 2025.

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.

It's not stated how the strike was carried out, but a quick look at past such incidents would tend to point to an airstrike, especially since the United States has absolutely unbeatable air superiority in this part of the world. Bilal Hasan al-Jasim's GPS coordinates are now "over here," and "over there."

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

CENTCOM launched large-scale strikes in Syria in response to the Dec. 13 attack. The operation, dubbed Hawkeye Strike, resulted in U.S. and partner forces hitting more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapons site targets with over 200 precision munitions.

Additionally, U.S. and partner forces have captured more than 300 ISIS operatives and killed over 20 across Syria during the past year, removing terrorists who posed a direct threat to the United States and regional security.

Detonating terrorists is always a good thing to do, but it's likewise good to see that many are captured. There's no omerta among these goblins. When caught, they frequently sing like dusty, dirty little birds. Every one of them is an intelligence asset that could possibly reveal the location of the next-higher guy on the chain. We've removed quite a few of the higher-ups from the field, often with high explosives or a Ginsu missile. We have no way of knowing, of course, nor should CENTCOM reveal any sources, but it wouldn't be surprising at all to learn this was the case.


Read More: U.S. Hits ISIS Targets in New Syria Strike Amid Ongoing Threats

ISIS in Texas: FBI Arrests Man Who Helped Fund the Global Terrorist Organization, Supplied Bomb Parts


So far, the new Syrian government has been very amenable to having the United States come in and change the pronouns of these ISIS and Al-Qaeda goblins to "was" and "were," but we shouldn't count on this being the case forever. This remains a very volatile part of the world, wherein today's best friend may be tomorrow's bitter enemy.

For now, though, Central Command has (almost certainly) once again proven one of my favorite military aphorisms: There is no problem that cannot be solved with the suitable application of high explosives.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Syria; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alqaeda; isis; syria

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.


1 posted on 01/17/2026 8:46:03 PM PST by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Wonderful news!


2 posted on 01/17/2026 8:50:09 PM PST by gildafarrell (To Strive, To Seek, To Find and Not To Yield!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind; gildafarrell

I love a happy ending!

(Even if the Muscum’s ending wasn’t peaceful)


3 posted on 01/17/2026 8:51:16 PM PST by lightman (Beat the Philly fraud machine the Amish did onest, ja? Nein, zweimal they did already!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Under President Trump, the US Military has really demonstrated its ability to reach out and touch someone. MAGA!


4 posted on 01/17/2026 8:58:45 PM PST by drypowder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Another one had his body parts blown apart.
A very good day.


5 posted on 01/17/2026 9:44:53 PM PST by tennmountainman ( (“Less propaganda would be appreciated.” JimRobr 12-2-2023 DITTO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

That’s cool. We still supporting the ISIS/Al Qeida leader Al Sharaa? He loved being at the white house.


6 posted on 01/17/2026 10:49:06 PM PST by DesertRhino (When men on the chessboard, get up and tell you where to go…)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: drypowder

How much credit you wanna give him for this? Old Trump 45 demanded the military leave Syria (they flipped him the finger of course)

New Trump has US Soldiers wandering around Syria meeting with ISIS factions, and invited the ISIS Syria “president” terrorist to the White House. A year ago he had a 10 million dollar reward on his head!
Had Trump not had soldiers in Syria, they wouldn’t have been murdered a week before Christmas, and there wouldn’t need to be this air raid today.

Reminds me of the apocryphal story of New Mexico, one guy goes and breaks into houses, his cousin stops by a week later and says he is selling burglar bars for you doors and windows.

Cause the problem, the fix it and beat your chest about it.


7 posted on 01/17/2026 10:57:29 PM PST by DesertRhino (When men on the chessboard, get up and tell you where to go…)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

“Bilal Hasan al-Jasim”

That’s him all over!

CC


8 posted on 01/18/2026 1:33:07 AM PST by Celtic Conservative (Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DesertRhino

Who peed in your wheaties?

CC


9 posted on 01/18/2026 1:34:29 AM PST by Celtic Conservative (Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson