The U.S. military announced on Thursday that it killed a top Islamic terrorist leader in Syria earlier in the day.

U.S. Central Command said that it “conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria targeting and killing Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir, a senior operative in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate.”

“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,” the statement said.

Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command, said that CENTCOM under the Trump administration would be focused on continuing its mission “to hunt and kill or capture terrorists, and defend our homeland, against groups that plot to attack US and allied personnel.”

CENTCOM Forces Kill Senior Operative of Terror Group Hurras al-Din, an Al-Qaeda Affiliate

On Jan. 30, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria targeting and killing Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir, a senior operative in the terrorist… pic.twitter.com/7waflpa0Y6

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 31, 2025