A U.S. military-led raid in western Iraq resulted in the deaths of at least 15 Islamic State militants, including some of the group’s leadership. The operation, conducted in collaboration with Iraq’s security forces, targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade their ability to plan and carry out attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens and allies. The raid, which took place early Thursday, involved airstrikes on ISIS cave hideouts in Anbar province followed by an airborne operation. While no civilians were harmed, five U.S. soldiers sustained injuries during the raid.
The operation follows a stabbing rampage in Germany by a Syrian refugee with suspected links to ISIS, as well as a foiled plot in Austria to attack a Taylor Swift concert by an Austrian citizen who pledged allegiance to the militant group. The U.S.-led coalition has made significant progress in liberating ISIS-held territory in Syria, but continues to work to prevent the group from reconstituting itself.
Around 2,500 U.S. troops are currently deployed in Iraq and 900 in Syria in an advise and assist capacity to prevent ISIS resurgence and limit the activities of Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Talks between the U.S. and Iraq on ending the military coalition may not be concluded until after the U.S. presidential elections in November.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com