ISIS rocked: High-profile leader eliminated in US drone strike

A high-ranking ISIS leader, Usamah al-Muhajir, was killed in Eastern Syria during a drone strike conducted by the US Central Command on July 7.

The strike, which reportedly did not result in any civilian casualties, involved the same MQ-9 drones that were earlier disturbed by Russian aircraft for nearly two hours. Despite the interruption, the strike was successfully carried out, marking a significant blow to the terrorist organization.

Over the past year, the US has ramped up operations against suspected ISIS operatives in Syria, targeting leaders who sought refuge in regions under the control of Turkey-backed rebels. This is in line with the country’s continued commitment to defeating ISIS in the region, as noted by Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command. According to him, despite having its capabilities degraded and its network weakened, ISIS remains a significant threat not only within the region but also beyond it.

US drone strike in Syria targets ISIS leader Usamah al-Muhajir. Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force.

The attack on Usamah al-Muhajir will disrupt and degrade ISIS’s ability to plan and conduct terror attacks. However, operations against ISIS by CENTCOM and partner forces in Iraq and Syria will persist until the terrorist group’s definitive defeat. The same military strategy led to the death of the former ISIS head Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, and the US has since been focusing on the group’s surviving leaders, many of whom are believed to have planned attacks abroad.

ISIS, which once controlled a third of Iraq and Syria at its peak in 2014, has seen its territories significantly reduced. Nonetheless, its militants continue to stage insurgent attacks.