The US Central Command announced that it conducted a strike on July 7 that killed Osama al-Muhazir, the leader of ISIS (Islamic State) in eastern Syria.

Friday’s strike was carried out by the same MQ-9 drones that had earlier in the day been harassed by Russian jets in a standoff that had lasted nearly two hours, the statement added.

The official announcement of the death of the ISIS leader in eastern Syria has been all over social networks.

U.S. airstrike targets ISIS leader in eastern Syriahttps://t.co/RtzKlBhXKE pic.twitter.com/A6IFnUGlXB

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 9, 2023

It states that with the loss of the leader of the terrorist organization, new attacks will be hindered.

It should be noted that the operations to neutralize other members of the organization in Iraq and Syria continue, with the aim of the complete defeat of the terrorist organization. The US more broadly emphasizes its commitment to the annihilation of the ISIS organization that poses a threat to the global community.

The statement highlighted that the MQ-9 drones, which had earlier been intercepted by Russian aircraft, were involved in the raid. 

Washington has stepped up raids and operations against suspected ISIS operatives operating in Syria in recent years, killing and capturing several of its leaders who had fled to areas controlled by the Turkish-backed rebels after the group lost the last territory it controlled in Syria in 2019.

The killing of former ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who had declared himself the “caliph of all Muslims”, came as part of a US-led campaign that has since targeted its surviving leaders, many of whom were believed to be planning attacks abroad.

Islamic State controlled a third of Iraq and Syria at its peak in 2014. Although defeated in both countries, its fighters continue to carry out insurgent attacks.

Also read: USA | ISIS leader dies in Syria after military operation