U.S. confirms the murder of Senior Hurras al Din leader in Syria after group’s recent dissolution
The United States has eliminated Wasim Tahsin Bayraqdar, a senior Hurras al Din leader, in an airstrike in Syria, shortly after the group announced its dissolution following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
In a recent operation, U.S. military forces eliminated Wasim Tahsin Bayraqdar, a senior member of Hurras al Din, the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda that announced its dissolution in late January. This precision airstrike was carried out in northwestern Syria, according to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM).
Hurras al Din, known for harboring foreign jihadists and operating in mountainous regions of northwestern Syria, decided to dissolve following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8. The rebel coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of Damascus, urging the dissolution of all armed groups. Despite its recent disbandment, operations against former Hurras al Din members continue, reflecting the U.S. commitment to neutralizing terrorist threats in the region.
US says killed senior member of Syria al-Qaeda affiliate. Photo: Al Arabiya.
Recent operations against Jihadist leaders
On February 17, CENTCOM reported the elimination of a senior official responsible for Hurras al Din’s finances and logistics, though his identity was not disclosed. Previously, in late January, the death of Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir, another key leader of the organization, was announced. These actions are part of a series of targeted operations aimed at dismantling jihadist command structures in Syria.
The dissolution of Hurras al Din and the fall of the Al-Assad regime have reshaped Syria’s political and military landscape. The HTS-led coalition has taken control of Damascus, facing the challenge of stabilizing a nation fragmented by years of conflict. Meanwhile, the U.S. maintains its military presence in the region, conducting selective operations to prevent the resurgence of terrorist groups and ensure the security of its citizens and allies.
Regional context and Syria’s security future
The new Syrian authorities announced their intention to disband all armed groups. Hurras al-Din, which includes foreign jihadists, was based in mountainous areas of north-western Syria. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which is based in the UK but has a wide network of sources in Syria, Wasim Bayraqdar was killed when the car he was travelling in was attacked by a drone on the road from Sarmada to Tal al Karama in the north-west of the country.
The United States designated Hurras al-Din as a "terrorist" organisation in 2019 and has offered financial rewards for information on several of its members. "We will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists in order to defend our homeland, and US, allied, and partner personnel in the region," CENTCOM General, Michael Erik Kurilla, said in a statement.
