US raid on Syria ISIS cell signals deepening coordination with Sharaa
A suspected ISIS leader and his sons were killed in what appeared to be the a coordinated operation between US special operations forces and Syrian government-aligned militias.
WASHINGTON — US special operations forces carried out a helicopter-borne raid northwest Syria early Friday morning local time, in the latest sign of coordination between the US military and forces aligned with the new government in Damascus.
The raid in Aleppo province led to the death of a regional ISIS official and two of his adult sons, the US military said following the operation.
US Central Command described Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani as “a senior ISIS leader” and his sons, Abdallah and Abd al-Rahman, as “ISIS affiliated.” CENTCOM did not specify how they were killed.
“These ISIS individuals posed a threat to US and Coalition Forces, as well as the new Syrian government,” CENTCOM’s release read. “We will continue to relentlessly pursue ISIS terrorists wherever they are,” CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla said. No American troops were injured in the operation, a US official told Al-Monitor.
