Politics

CENTCOM Kills Leading Figure in ‘Al-Qaida Affiliate’ in Syria

The US has welcomed the overthrow of Syria’s Baathist regime, but it is also concerned that ISIS and other terrorist groups might re-emerge.

CENTCOM logo (Photo: AP)
CENTCOM logo (Photo: AP)
Syria CENTCOM al-Qaeda Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir

Jan 31, 2025

WASHINGTON DC, United States (Kurdistan 24) U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Thursday that it had struck and killed Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir, whom it described as “a senior operative in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate.”

The attack marked the first U.S. strike in Syria since Donald Trump became president.

Hurras al-Din was established in Syria in 2018, and in September 2019, Washington named it as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization. That measure took place during Trump’s first term.

In Thursday’s announcement, CENTCOM said that it had “conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria targeting and killing” Za’bir.

“The airstrike is part of CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the U.S., our allies, and our partners throughout the region and beyond,” CENTCOM’s statement continued.

It concluded with a warning from the commander of CENTCOM, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla. 

“CENTCOM will continue to hunt and kill or capture terrorists and defend our homeland against groups that plot to attack U.S. and allied personnel,” Kurilla affirmed.

The U.S. has welcomed the overthrow of the Baathist regime of Bashar al-Assad by the Turkish-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS.) However, Washington has also been concerned that the political upheaval in Syria might allow ISIS and other terrorist groups to re-emerge.

CENTCOM’s action, as well as its statement, appear to reflect that concern.