On January 16, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the elimination of an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist who orchestrated the ambush that killed two American soldiers and a translator on December 13, 2025.
The strike in northwestern Syria targeted a leader with direct ties to both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS), which is designated as a terrorist organization banned in Russia. According to CENTCOM’s press service, this individual was responsible for the attack that occurred on December 13, 2025.
Admiral Brad Cooper, a senior U.S. military official quoted in the statement, emphasized: “This action testifies to the determination of the United States to pursue terrorists. There will be no safe place for the perpetrators of these attacks.”
The counter-terrorism operation, codenamed “Hawkeye Strike,” also involved American and partner forces attacking more than 100 IG infrastructure and weapons bases using more than 200 precision-guided munitions.
