ISIS leader eliminated in Idlib

In a statement, U.S. Central Command revealed that the operation took place on August 19 in rural Idlib, Syria, stating:

"U.S. Central Command forces conducted a successful raid in northern Syria on August 19, resulting in the death of a senior ISIS member and financier who was planning attacks in Syria and Iraq. He was linked to various members of ISIS’s network in the region, posing a direct threat to U.S. forces, coalition forces, and the new Syrian government.

General Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command, said: “We will continue to relentlessly pursue ISIS terrorists throughout the region. In partnership with our allies, CENTCOM remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS and the protection of U.S. territory.”

According to available information, the operation began at around 2:00 a.m., with helicopters and drones providing air cover, while U.S. forces carried out the ground raid itself.

Eyewitnesses reported that the security operation was launched from areas of North and East Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces have not yet commented on the operation that was staged from the region.

The Pentagon had previously announced, in July, a raid in the city of Aleppo that killed a senior ISIS commander along with his two adult sons, both members of ISIS.

Idlib and other areas occupied by Turkey in Syria have for years served as safe havens for ISIS leaders. U.S. forces previously killed former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the village of Barisha in 2019, and his successor Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi in Atmeh in 2022.

A-H 

ANHA