This picture taken on March 24, 2019 shows a discarded Islamic State (IS) group flag lying on the ground in the village of Baghouz in Syria’s eastern Deir Ezzor province near the Iraqi border. Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE
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A U.S. military airstrike in Syria last week eliminated a senior ISIS figure, according to an announcement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday.
What they’re saying:
In a press release, CENTCOM said its “forces conducted an airstrike in northwest Syria, June 19, that resulted in the death of a senior ISIS leader.”
Fox News Digital contacted the White House on Wednesday for comment.
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Dig deeper:
The military identified the target as Ali Husayn al-‘Ulaywi, noting that “The precision strike killed Ali Husayn al-‘Ulaywi and is part of ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt and eliminate terrorists seeking to attack Americans abroad or the U.S. homeland. CENTCOM forces continue to work alongside regional partners.”
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper emphasized the ongoing campaign against the terrorist group, stating, “CENTCOM and our partners remain committed to rooting out remaining remnants of ISIS to ensure its enduring defeat.” He added, “We will continue to defend the U.S. homeland, our service members, and allies and partners across the region.”
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Big picture view:
Meanwhile, U.S. military operations have extended beyond the Middle East. On June 18, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) carried out a strike that killed three suspected narcotics traffickers.
According to SOUTHCOM, “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Three male narco-terrorists were killed during this action.”
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A second operation followed several days later. SOUTHCOM said, “On June 21, at the direction of the commander of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.”
The command further reported that “Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action, and there were six male survivors. Following the engagement, USSOUTHCOM immediately notified U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors.”
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