Last month, Iraqi forces and American troops conducted an operation in Iraq’s western Anbar province that resulted in the killing of a senior Islamic State group commander who was wanted by the United States, as well as several other prominent militants. Among those killed was a high-ranking ISIS commander from Tunisia known as Abu Ali Al-Tunisi, for whom the U.S. Treasury Department had offered a $5 million reward. Other notable ISIS leaders killed in the operation included Ahmad Hamed Zwein, the Islamic State deputy commander in Iraq, and two other ISIS leaders identified as Ahmad Hamid Husayn Abd-al-Jalil al-Ithawi and Shakir Abud Ahmad al-Issawi. The operation also involved members of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service and Iraq’s air force.
In a statement released by U.S. Central Command, it was revealed that the joint raid targeting suspected ISIS militants resulted in the deaths of 14 ISIS operatives, with DNA tests confirming their identities. The Iraqi military also reported that the operation led to the confiscation of weapons, computers, smartphones, and 10 explosive belts. The news of the operation first emerged two weeks ago when officials reported that at least 15 people were killed and seven American troops were injured, with five wounded during the raid and two sustaining injuries from falls during the operation. The identity of the 15th person who was killed was not clarified by U.S. and Iraqi authorities.
The Islamic State group rose to power in 2014, seizing territory in Iraq and Syria and declaring a caliphate in large parts of both countries. However, the group was defeated in Iraq in 2017, and in March 2019, they lost the last remaining territory they controlled in eastern Syria. Despite their defeat, ISIS sleeper cells in Iraq and Syria have continued to carry out attacks, targeting civilians and security forces. The U.S. Central Command reported that its forces recently killed an ISIS attack cell member in eastern Syria who was planting an improvised explosive device for a planned attack against anti-ISIS coalition forces and their partners.
In August last year, the U.S. agreed to enter into talks to transition American and anti-ISIS coalition forces from their longstanding role in assisting Iraq in combating ISIS. There are approximately 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq, and their departure will be based on the security situation on the ground and the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces. The U.S. and Iraq have been working together to eliminate the remnants of ISIS in the region and prevent the resurgence of the terrorist group. The recent joint operation in Iraq’s Anbar province was a significant blow to ISIS leadership and an important step in ensuring the security and stability of the region.
