The ISIS leader was eliminated in a joint operation between the United States and Syria.

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces eliminated a senior ISIS commander and his two sons, also terrorists from the same organization, in an operation carried out in northern Syria, according to the U.S. military this Friday through a post on X.

The action was part of a joint mission with troops from the new Syrian regime, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, within the framework of Washington's growing support for Damascus to contribute to the country's reconstruction after 14 years of civil war, despite ongoing sectarian violence.

“Early this morning in Al Bab, Aleppo province, Syria, CENTCOM forces conducted a raid that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Dhiya' Zawba Muslih al-Hardani and his two adult sons affiliated with ISIS, Abdallah Dhiya al-Hardani and Abd al-Rahman Dhiya Zawba al-Hardani”, CENTCOM stated.

According to the statement, the three represented a direct threat to both U.S. forces and the coalition as well as the new Syrian government. At the site of the operation, there were also three women and three minors, who were not injured. This was the first joint operation conducted between U.S.-led forces and the Damascus regime.

Although Syrian authorities have not issued official statements about the operation, local sources in al-Bab indicated that several members of the Islamic State were killed or captured during the operation.

“We will relentlessly pursue ISIS terrorists wherever they are. ISIS terrorists are not safe where they sleep, where they operate, or where they hide”, said General Michael Erik Kurilla, head of United States Central Command (CENTCOM).

In its statement, Central Command reaffirms, together with its partners and allies, its commitment to completely eradicate the threat posed by ISIS to the region, allied nations, and the United States itself.

The joint operation

Local sources told the outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that personnel from Syria's Ministries of Defense and Interior blocked streets and deployed drones while a U.S. helicopter conducted a tactical landing.

According to their account, the target of the operation was a residence where it was believed a spokesperson for the Islamic State, an Iraqi national, was located, accompanied by other members of the group. This individual was reportedly detained.

Meanwhile, forces from northeastern Syria, composed mainly of Kurdish militias and supported by the United States, led the offensive that succeeded in dismantling the Islamic State, an organization that once controlled vast areas of Syria.

Despite having been defeated in 2019, the jihadist group continues to operate through clandestine cells and carry out attacks in various parts of the country, which remains marked by armed conflict.

The previous leader of the Islamic State was eliminated earlier this year on Iraqi soil, in a joint operation between Iraq's national intelligence service and international coalition forces led by the United States.