US Raid Kills Future ISIS Leader in Northwest Syria
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) killed a senior ISIS commander, viewed as the group’s likely future leader, in a pre-dawn raid in Atmeh, near Syria’s border with Turkey, on Wednesday.
The coalition targeted Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, an Iraqi national. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said another Iraqi citizen was killed during the operation. No U.S. troops were killed or injured in the raid.
A Syrian security source and state-owned Al-Ikhbariya reported the target was killed while attempting to flee.
CENTCOM confirmed the strike and described al-Qurashi as a key financier behind planned attacks in Syria and Iraq. “He had relationships throughout the ISIS network in the region, posing a direct threat to U.S. and Coalition forces and the new Syrian Government,” CENTCOM said.
A U.S. official told Fox News al-Qurashi was viewed as a strong candidate to become the ISIS Syria Emir, a role that would have posed a direct threat to U.S. and Coalition forces as well as the new Syrian government.
This is the second U.S. operation in northern Syria since President Ahmed al-Sharaa replaced Bashar al-Assad. In July, U.S. forces killed ISIS leader Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani and his two sons in Aleppo’s al-Bab region.
“We will continue to pursue ISIS terrorists with unwavering determination, throughout the region.” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said. Together with our partners and allies, CENTCOM remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring the lasting defeat of ISIS and the protection of the U.S. homeland.”
