(CNN) - U.S. Special Operations forces killed a key ISIS commander during a daring raid in eastern Syria overnight Friday to Saturday.
The ISIS commander, identified by his nom de guerre Abu Sayyaf, was killed in a heavy firefight after he resisted capture in the raid at al-Omar.
The ground operation was led by the Army's Delta Force. There were about two dozen members of Delta Force involved, sources said. Delta Force entered the target area on Blackhawk helicopters and V-22 aircraft and ISIS fighters defended the multistory building from inside and outside positions.
A gun battle broke out as U.S. troops fought their way into the building. ISIS combatants tried to use human shields, but U.S. troops managed to kill the fighters without hurting the women and children. Abu Sayyaf was killed as he "tried to engage" U.S. troops, an official said.
"Abu Sayyaf was a senior ISIL leader who, among other things, had a senior role in overseeing ISIL's illicit oil and gas operations -- a key source of revenue that enables the terrorist organization to carry out their brutal tactics and oppress thousands of innocent civilians," National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said in a statement.
Delta Force also captured his wife, Umm Sayyaf, who is suspected to be a member of ISIS who played an important role in ISIS terrorism and human trafficking.
No comments:
Post a Comment