A joint operation between US military forces and Iraqi Security Forces in Western Iraq resulted in a significant blow to ISIS, with 15 militants killed and key leaders among the dead. However, the operation also came at a cost, with six American soldiers injured during the raid.
The mission, which took place on August 29, aimed to disrupt ISIS’ ability to plan and carry out attacks against Iraqi civilians. According to a statement from US Central Command, the targeted ISIS element was heavily armed with weapons, grenades, and explosive devices.
The operation involved airstrikes on ISIS hideouts, followed by an airborne assault. Iraqi military officials confirmed that the airstrikes were successful in destroying the hideouts, as well as seizing important documents, identification papers, and communication devices.
The US military reported that none of the injuries sustained by the six American soldiers were life-threatening. Iraqi Security Forces are continuing to exploit the locations raided, gathering intelligence and disrupting ISIS operations.
US Central Command emphasized that ISIS remains a threat to the region and the US homeland, and vowed to continue pursuing the terrorist group alongside its coalition and Iraqi partners. The operation is the latest in a long-running campaign against ISIS, which has seen the group’s power decline significantly since its peak in 2014.
Despite this decline, ISIS has shown signs of resurgence in recent months, including a foiled plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The group’s Afghanistan offshoot, ISIS-K, has also gained notoriety for its brutal tactics. The US has been actively targeting ISIS leaders, including the elimination of Abu Bakr al Baghdadi in 2019 and Abu Ibrahim al Hashimi al Qurayshi in 2022.
