A number of civilian casualties were reported
President Joe Biden has announced that an ISIS leader has been killed by US special forces during a strategic raid in Syria.
Informing the world’s media on Thursday, POTUS said that “US military forces in northwest Syria successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation to protect the American people and our Allies, and make the world a safer place.”
President Biden, Vice President Harris and members of the President’s national security team observe the counterterrorism operation responsible for removing from the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi — the leader of ISIS. pic.twitter.com/uhK75WeUme
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 3, 2022
Taking place overnight, he confirmed that Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, reported to be an ISIS leader, was “taken off the battlefield” and that “all Americans have returned safely from the operation.”
The photo above is said to be taken from within the White House as Biden and his Vice President Kamala Harris sat in the office’s Situation Room to watch as the raid took place.
US outlets had reported early on Thursday that a military operation had been carried out in the region, but few details were known at first; however, along with the identity of the ISIS leader, AP said that 13 people are said to have been killed on the mission.
#BREAKING: US President Joe Biden says U.S. raid in Syria killed top Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. pic.twitter.com/k9MrgGTgh2
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 3, 2022
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby declared the mission as “successful”, with no US casualties suffered.
Local outlets covering the operation in the northern Syrian town of Atmeh, Idlib, are claiming that the targeted strike wasn’t such a smooth operation and the Syrian Civil Defence said the death toll includes six children and four women.
ABC News‘ Senior White House Correspondent, Mary Bruce, claims a source told her “any reported civilian casualties resulted from the target or a family member detonating an explosive device at the beginning of the operation and not from US forces.
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