On Monday, April 17, US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a successful raid that resulted in the death of three ISIS members, including a senior leader and operational planner. The operation took place in northern Syria, where US forces used a helicopter to target Abd-al-Hadi Mahmud al-Haji Ali, the senior ISIS leader, and two other members. The operation was conducted after intelligence indicated that ISIS was planning to kidnap foreign officials to use as leverage.
CENTCOM confirms an ISIS Senior Leader was killed in a helicopter raid in northern Syria this morning. pic.twitter.com/LTTf44uFQf
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 17, 2023
The raid was a significant success for CENTCOM, as it removed a key leader and disrupted the terrorist group’s plans. The operation also highlights the ongoing efforts of the US military to ensure that bad actors are kept at bay and to prevent any major terrorist attacks against the United States.
The CENTCOM Commander, General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, praised the operation’s success and vowed to continue the relentless campaign against ISIS, despite the group’s degraded state. He noted that ISIS still has the capability to conduct operations in the region and beyond, making it crucial for the US military to remain vigilant.
This recent raid is not the first successful operation carried out by CENTCOM in recent weeks. On April 8, US forces conducted a raid in eastern Syria that resulted in the capture of three ISIS members, including an attack facilitator. Similarly, on April 3, the US military killed ISIS attack planner Khalid’ Aydd Ahmad al Jabouri using a drone strike.
Since the beginning of the Biden administration, CENTCOM and its allies have conducted dozens of missions in Iraq and Syria, resulting in the death or capture of over 25 ISIS operatives. These military raids demonstrate the Biden administration’s proactive approach to hunting down and killing terrorists in the Middle East to prevent the group from gaining any more ground or power.
The successful operation in northern Syria is a reminder that the US military remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of Americans both at home and abroad. The ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle terrorist organizations like ISIS are crucial to maintaining stability in the region and preventing future attacks. As the CENTCOM Commander stated, the US military will continue to pursue and eliminate any threats to national security relentlessly.
