The United States killed IS leader Rakkan Wahid al-Shammri in a raid in Syria on Wednesday, according to United States Central Command (Centcom). The attack took place in government-controlled territory.
Centcom writes that al-Shammri is known for facilitating the smuggling of weapons and fighters to support IS actions. Additionally, one of his companions is said to have been injured in the attack and two others were captured.
No US forces or civilians were killed or injured in the action, according to Centcom.
– Centcom is committed with our allies and partners in ensuring the continued defeat of the IS, says Colonel and Centcom spokesperson Joe Buccino.
First attack in government-controlled territory
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) exiled group confirmed the attack on Thursday. According to the SOHR, a Syrian and an Iraqi were captured in the operation.
The village where the action took place, Muluk Saray, is 17 kilometers south of the Kurdish-controlled city of Qamishli and is controlled by pro-regime militia groups, according to the SOHR. According to the observer group, this is the first time that US forces have carried out such an operation in government-controlled areas in Syria since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011.
Loudspeaker used
A resident, who remained anonymous for security reasons, told AFP that three American helicopters took part in the operation. Syrian TV previously reported the same.
American forces then entered a house, where they killed one and captured the others, the resident said.
– They used a loudspeaker and asked us to stay inside, the resident said.
Lost territory
The United States leads a military coalition fighting IS in Syria.
After the jihadist group lost what was left of the territory it controlled in March 2019, what was left largely retreated to hiding places in the Syrian desert.
From these hiding places, they have launched surprise attacks on Kurdish-led forces and Syrian government forces as they continue to carry out attacks in Iraq.
