Iraqi Security Forces Eliminate Senior Islamic State Leader in Syria Raid

Iraqi security forces, in cooperation with the U.S.-led coalition, have killed a high-ranking Islamic State (IS) member in Syria, Reuters reported yesterday.

The Iraqi National Security Service reported that Abu Zainab, an Iraqi national, was eliminated “during the past days” in the city of Raqqa.

Abu Zainab was responsible for orchestrating attacks against Iraqi government forces. The operation was a joint effort between Iraqi troops and the U.S.-led coalition, which continues to combat remnants of IS in Syria.

Although the militant group was defeated in Iraq in 2017, IS fighters have maintained a capability to conduct regular assaults on Iraqi security personnel and state-aligned paramilitary units. This latest strike represents an important blow to the terrorist organization’s operational capacity.