U.S. airstrike in northwest Syria kills senior Islamic State member, CENTCOM says

The U.S. Central Command said an airstrike in northwest Syria killed a senior Islamic State member. The strike happened on Friday, according to CENTCOM. The military said the operation was part of ongoing efforts. Those efforts aim to stop militants planning attacks on Americans abroad or the U.S. homeland.

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Syrian activists first reported an airstrike hit a motorcycle near Deir Hassan village. The area lies close to the Turkish border. Activists said one person was killed. At that time, the target’s identity was not clear. CENTCOM later said the person killed was Ali Husayn al-Ulaywi.

Islamic State group and CENTCOM airstrike details in Syria

CENTCOM described Ali Husayn al-Ulaywi as a senior member of the Islamic State group. The command linked the strike to broader counterterror work. The statement focused on disrupting and eliminating militants. It said the goal was preventing attacks against Americans overseas and inside the United States.

Even after the group’s defeat in Syria in 2019, Islamic State sleeper cells stayed active. The report said these cells have claimed attacks on Syria’s new authorities. This followed the December 2024 fall of the five-decade Assad family rule. The renewed claims have raised concerns about continued militant activity.

Islamic State group threat and CENTCOM comments

CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said, "CENTCOM and our partners remain committed to rooting out remaining remnants of ISIS to ensure its enduring defeat,\" using an acronym for IS. Adm. Brad Cooper added, \"We will continue to defend the U.S. homeland, our service members, and allies and partners across the region.\"

In February, an IS spokesman issued a new call for violence. In an audio message, Abu Huzaifa al-Ansari urged followers worldwide to attack Jewish and Western targets. The message referred to past years of similar attacks. The call came amid ongoing pressure on IS networks across the region.

Islamic State group strikes in Syria and earlier U.S. military action

The U.S. military last carried out strikes on IS targets in Syria in February. Those strikes were described as retaliation for a December ambush. That ambush killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter. Central Command said then at least 50 IS members were killed or captured.

The latest strike near Deir Hassan added to U.S. action against IS-linked networks in Syria. CENTCOM linked the operation to protecting Americans and partners in the region. Activist reports and later U.S. confirmation outlined the target and location. The update came as concerns continued about active sleeper cells.

With inputs from PTI