US-Iraqi operation killed 4 ISIS leaders

The U.S.-Iraq joint military operation in Western Iraq killed four ISIS leaders last month, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed in a statement on Friday.

The partnered raid, which took place on Aug. 29, left 14 ISIS operatives dead, including four ISIS leaders: Ahmad Hamid Husayn Abd-al-Jalil al-Ithawi, Abu Hammam, Abu-‘Ali al-Tunisi and Shakir Abud Ahmad al-Issawi.

The operation left seven U.S. troops hurt. Five troops were injured in the raid while two suffered injuries from falls that happened during the operation.

“This operation targeted ISIS leaders and served to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, threats from terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State, have gone up . ISIS has claimed responsibility for an array of attacks around the world, ranging from Iran, Turkey and Russia. ISIS-affiliated actors took responsibility for a stabbing attack in Germany last month and also threatened to kill thousands of people at a Taylor Swift concert.

During a raid in 2022, the U.S. military killed Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, then-leader of ISIS. The terrorist group was previously led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi who was killed in 2019.

“CENTCOM remains committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS, who continues to threaten the United States, our allies and partners, and regional stability,” Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command, said in a statement.

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