ISIS leader killed during U.S. raid in Syria

ISIS leader killed during U.S. raid in Syria

ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi was reportedly killed during a U.S. raid in Syria last night.

President Joe Biden revealed this morning that the Islamic State leader had been ‘taken off the battlefield’ as the Armed Forces carried out their operation.

The ISIS leader reportedly detonated a bomb that killed himself and several members of his family at around 5:00pm (EST) last night, Wednesday 2 February.

In a statement released by the White House, Joe Biden said: “Last night, at my direction, U.S. military forces in northwest Syria successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation to protect the American people and our Allies, and make the world a safer place.

“Thanks to the skill and bravery of our Armed Forces, we have taken off the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi—the leader of ISIS.

“All Americans have returned safely from the operation.”

Unfortunately, at least seven civilians (out of 13 people) were also killed during the airborne raid, including four children and three women.

Another girl, whose family perished during the raid, was also found injured by the Syria Civil Defence.

The news imitates how U.S. forces previously killed former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a 2019 raid.

On 23 October, the U.S. military also killed the senior al-Qaeda leader at the time, Abdul Hamid al-Matar.

One of the US special forces’ casualties last night was a home on the outskirts of Atme.

The two-storey building was reportedly reduced to rubble and ash following several operations which targeted high-value jihadists in recent months.

The Syrian government’s forces, alongside Russia, have repeatedly attacked jihadist and rebel group in the Idlib region before.

However, a ceasefire deal made by Moscow and Ankara two years ago is still in effect to this day.

(Image: Levi Meir Clancy)