US Airstrike Eliminates Senior Al-Qaeda-Linked Official in Syria
"We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists in order to defend our homeland, and U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A precision airstrike conducted by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces on Feb. 15 in northwest Syria successfully eliminated a senior finance and logistics official of Hurras al-Din (HaD), a terrorist group affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
The targeted strike, revealed on Monday, underscores Washington’s ongoing counterterrorism operations aimed at disrupting extremist networks that pose threats to U.S. interests and regional stability.
CENTCOM’s statement emphasized that the operation is part of a broader effort, in collaboration with regional allies, to dismantle terrorist planning and operational capabilities.
"We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists in order to defend our homeland, and U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command.
CENTCOM Forces Kill Senior Operative of Al-Qaeda affiliate Hurras al-Din
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 16, 2025
On Fed. 15, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria targeting and killing a senior finance and logistics official in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din… pic.twitter.com/MTsJ5TbIe1
Established in 2018, Hurras al-Din (HaD) emerged as a splinter faction of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) after ideological and operational differences led to internal divisions within the jihadist movement in Syria. While HTS sought to present itself as a localized insurgent group, HaD remained loyal to Al-Qaeda’s global jihadist agenda, focusing on external attacks beyond Syria’s borders.
The U.S. has classified HaD as a terrorist organization and has actively targeted its leadership over the years. Previous American strikes have eliminated key figures in the group, weakening its operational command. Despite these efforts, HaD continues to operate in Syria’s northwest, exploiting the region’s instability to recruit fighters and conduct fundraising activities, often through illicit channels.
CENTCOM has conducted numerous operations in Syria aimed at neutralizing high-profile terrorist threats. The latest airstrike aligns with Washington’s broader counterterrorism strategy in the Middle East, which includes drone strikes, special operations raids, and intelligence-sharing with regional allies.
While U.S. operations have significantly degraded HaD’s leadership and financial networks, observers warn that the persistent instability in Syria and the proliferation of extremist groups remain ongoing security challenges. The latest strike serves as a reminder of the continued U.S. commitment to countering terrorist threats, particularly those that target American and allied interests in the region.