An Islamic State (ISIS) leader has been killed in eastern Syria in a United States airstrike conducted on 7 July, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday.
The death of the ISIS leader Usamah al-Muhajir as a result of the air operation is expected to disrupt and degrade the organisation’s ability to plan and carry out attacks, according to CENTCOM.
However, Commander General Michael “Erik” Kurilla stressed that “ISIS remains a threat, not only to the region but well beyond,” emphasising the US’s unwavering commitment to defeating ISIS throughout the region.
CENTCOM affirmed that its operations against ISIS, in conjunction with partner forces in Iraq and North and East Syria, would persist until the enduring defeat of the terrorist organisation is achieved.
The strike, which took place on Friday, was executed by the same MQ-9 drones that had earlier encountered harassment from Russian aircraft. The tense encounter lasted nearly two hours before the US drones proceeded with their mission.
