The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday that four ISIS leaders were killed in a joint American-Iraqi military operation in western Iraq last month, including the head of the organization’s operations in the country, according to the French Press Agency.
CENTCOM, in a statement posted on the “X” platform, stated that the operation, conducted on August 29, targeted ISIS leaders and aimed to disrupt and reduce the organization’s ability to plan, coordinate, and execute attacks against Iraqi civilians. The operation resulted in the deaths of 14 members of the organization, a number revised down from the previously announced 15 after a review by American forces.
Additionally, five American soldiers were wounded, and two others were injured due to stumbling and falling.
The CENTCOM statement identified the four leaders who were killed as Ahmad Al-Aithawi, the ISIS operations leader in Iraq; Abu Humam, who oversaw operations in western Iraq; Abu Ali Al-Tunisi, who managed weapon development and manufacturing; and Shaker Al-Essawi, who led the organization’s military operations in western Iraq. The statement quoted General Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, affirming the commitment to “defeat the organization that continues to threaten the United States, our allies, partners, and regional stability.”
The operation comes amid ongoing talks between Baghdad and Washington regarding the presence of coalition forces in Iraq. Although Iraq has set a goal for the complete withdrawal of coalition forces, no timeline for this withdrawal has been announced. Approximately 2,500 American soldiers are stationed in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of the international coalition against ISIS.
CENTCOM previously announced the killing of an ISIS member on Wednesday in an airstrike in eastern Syria. Reports indicated that the member was in the process of planting a homemade explosive device before being targeted. Coalition forces have been subjected to dozens of drone and missile attacks in Iraq and Syria against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza since early October. The American forces have carried out multiple retaliatory strikes against factions targeting their bases in both countries.
