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President Biden announced on Thursday that the leader of the violent Islamic State group had died during an evening raid in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib.
The US operation targeted Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. He was put in charge of the militant group on October 31, 2019, just days after the death of the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, during a raid by US forces in the same area. A U.S. official said he died just like al-Baghdadi, committing suicide with a bomb as U.S. forces approached. Beside him remained members of his family, including women and children.
Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi is also known as Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla. During the operation it was reported that 13 people were killed including six children and four women.
The operation comes as the ISIS militant group is trying to resurrect itself, with a series of attacks in the region, including a 10-day attack late last month aimed at taking control of a prison.
In a statement, President Biden said he ordered the raid to protect the American people and allies, as well as to make the world a safer place. President Biden is expected to address the American public later today.
The Pentagon initially did not identify the target of the raid.
“The mission was successfulPentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a brief statement. “There were no American casualties“, He added.
Idlib is largely controlled by Turkish-backed fighters, but is also an al-Qaeda stronghold and home to some of its key operatives. Other militants, including extremists from the rival ISIS group, have also found refuge in the region./VOA
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