The U.S. Central Command announced in a statement on Friday that four ISIS members were killed in precise airstrikes carried out by Iraqi security forces in northeastern Iraq on October 14.
The statement noted that among those killed was a prominent figure in the group named Shihada Alawi Saleh Aliwi Al-Bajari, also known as Abu Issa.
ISIS, also known as ISIL or Daesh, is a militant group that follows a fundamentalist doctrine of Sunni Islam.
It gained global notoriety in 2014 when it launched a series of attacks and seized territories in Iraq and Syria, proclaiming a caliphate.
The group is known for its brutal tactics, including mass killings, abductions, and attacks both within the Middle East and in the West.
In response to the rising threat of ISIS, a U.S.-led coalition was formed to conduct military operations against the group, supporting local forces in Iraq and Syria.
Iraqi security forces, backed by coalition airstrikes, intelligence, and advisory support, have since made significant progress in reclaiming territories once controlled by ISIS.
Despite the declared defeat of ISIS in Iraq in 2017, the group remains resilient, operating through sleeper cells and conducting guerrilla warfare.
The continued airstrikes and operations by Iraqi forces are part of ongoing efforts to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and stabilize the region.
Meanwhile, NATO plans to intensify its activities in West Africa and Central Asia as a strategic move to combat the ISIS terrorist organization.
Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at a NATO defense ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Austin emphasized the urgency of expanding efforts to tackle major ISIS affiliates in these regions.
“Our discussions today will primarily focus on West Africa and Central Asia, aiming to extend our initiatives against the principal branches of ISIS,” Austin stated.
He reaffirmed NATO’s ongoing commitment to combating the terrorist group in the Middle East, highlighting the alliance’s capabilities and global presence.
“NATO has the resources and the global reach needed to confront ISIS wherever it emerges,” he added.
