Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is a Sunni jihadist group with a particularly violent ideology that calls itself a caliphate and claims religious authority over all Muslims. It was inspired by al-Qaida but later publicly expelled from it.
U.S. drone strike kills ISIS leader in Syria
A U.S. strike in north-western Syria killed the leader of ISIS in Syria on Tuesday the 12 of July 2022, according to the U.S. Central Command. The drone strike targeted Maher al-Agal, the leader of ISIS in Syria and one of the top five leaders of ISIS overall, and also an unnamed senior ISIS leader who works closely with al-Agal was seriously injured in the strike, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.
An initial review by the U.S. military indicated that there were no civilian casualties in the strike. “ISIS continues to represent a threat to the U.S. and partners in the region,” CENTCOM spokesman Col. Joe Buccino said in a statement.
Col. Joe Buccino added that “CENTCOM maintains a sufficient and sustainable presence in the region and will continue to counter threats against regional security.” In February, ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi blew himself up during a U.S. military raid in Syria. Tuesday’s strike comes as President Biden is about to leave for his first trip to the Middle East as president.
