Prominent Islamic State leaders killed in Iraq

Shelly Kittleson

Mar 1, 2021

A member of the Iraqi federal police forces stands guard at a checkpoint in a street in the capital, Baghdad, on Jan. 29, 2021, during tightened security measures, a day after a man identified as the top Islamic State (IS) group figure in the country was killed. Iraq's premier announced yesterday that the military had killed the man a week after an IS attack in Baghdad killed more than 30 people. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said IS's Iraq "wali," or governor, Abu Yasser al-Issawi was killed in an "intelligence-led operation" by Iraqi security forces. — AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

ERBIL, Iraq — Despite concerns that the sharp drawdown of international troops over the past year might negatively impact counterterrorism activities, Iraq has announced the killing of several high-level commanders and operatives since late January.

Following a double suicide attack on a working-class market in central Baghdad on Jan. 21 that killed over 30 people, Operation Revenge of the Martyrs was launched.