The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a strike conducted by the country’s military in northwest Syria on Friday (US time) killed an Al-Qaeda leader who is believed to have been linked to last month’s alleged ISIS ambush that killed three Americans.

As per the US forces’ public announcement on Saturday, the now-deceased Al-Qaeda member has been identified as Bilal Hasan al-Jasim. CENTCOM described him as an “experienced terrorist leader” with “direct ties to the ISIS terrorist responsible for an ambush that killed two US service member and an American interpreter” in Palmyra, Syria, last month.

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“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, according to the official press release. “There is no safe place for those who conduct, plot, or inspire attacks on American citizens and our warfighters. We will find you.”

US Forces kill Al-Qaeda affiliate leader linked to ISIS ambush in Syria

US military shared the latest update after launching large-scale strikes as part of is ‘Operation Hawkeye Strike,’ a retaliatory measure to the December 13 attack in Syria. Alongside partner forces, the US hit more than 100 ISIS infrastructure and weapon site targets with over 200 precision munitions.

According to the CENTCOM’s press release, US and partner forces’ collaborative effort has resulted in more than 300 ISIS operatives being captured and over 20 being killed across Syria during the past year.

Last month’s ambush by a lone ISIS shooter in Syria killed two Iowa National Guard members, 25-year-old Sgt Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and 29-year-old Sgt William Nathaniel Howard, and American interpreter Ayad Mansoor from Michigan.

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CENTCOM shared another firm statement from Adm Brad Cooper after the most-recent strikes that killed the Al-Qaeda affiliate leader. Therein, he said that all ongoing efforts by all parties in Syria to prevent escalation was welcome. US Forces encouraged pursuing resolution through dialogue, while also urging Syrian government forces to stop an offensive actions in areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa.