BAGHDAD — The U.S. military took part in an Iraqi raid in the country’s western region that killed 15 people as forces targeted suspected militants from the Islamic State group, the American military said early Saturday.
For years after dislodging the militants from their self-declared caliphate across Iraq and Syria, U.S. forces have continued fighting the Islamic State group, though the casualties from Friday’s raid were higher than others in the time since.
The U.S. military’s Central Command alleged the militants were armed with “numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive ‘suicide’ belts” during the attack Thursday, which Iraqi forces said happened in the country’s the Anbar Desert.
“This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond,” Central Command said, using an acronym for the militant group. “Iraqi Security Forces continue to further exploit the locations raided.”
It added: “There is no indication of civilian casualties.”
An Iraqi military statement said “airstrikes targeted the hideouts, followed by an airborne operation.”
“Among the dead were key ISIS leaders,” Iraq’s military said, without identifying them. “All hideouts, weapons, and logistical support were destroyed, explosive belts were safely detonated and important documents, identification papers and communication devices were seized.”
It wasn’t immediately clear why it took two days for the U.S. to acknowledge it took part in the raid. Iraq did not say the U.S. took part in the operation when initially announcing it as politicians debate the future of having American troops in the country.
At its peak, the Islamic State group ruled an area half the size of the United Kingdom where it attempted to enforce its extreme interpretation of Islam, which included attacks on religious minority groups and harsh punishment of Muslims deemed to be apostates.
A coalition of more than 80 countries, led by the United States, was formed to fight the group, which lost its hold on the territory it controlled in Iraq and 2017 and in Syria in 2019. However, the militants have continued to operate in the Anbar Desert in Iraq and Syria, while claiming attacks carried out by others elsewhere in the world. The Islamic State’s branch in Afghanistan is known to carry out intensely bloody assaults.
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Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
In a recent joint operation between US and Iraqi forces, fifteen militants were killed in a raid targeting the Islamic State group. The operation, which took place in a remote area near the border between Iraq and Syria, was part of ongoing efforts to combat the terrorist organization and disrupt their operations in the region.
The raid was carried out by a combination of US Special Forces and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service units, who worked together to locate and eliminate the militants. According to reports from the Iraqi government, the militants were heavily armed and believed to be planning attacks on civilian targets in both Iraq and Syria.
The Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, has been responsible for numerous acts of violence and terror in the region, including the brutal execution of hostages, suicide bombings, and attacks on civilian populations. The group has also been involved in the trafficking of weapons, drugs, and other illicit goods, which has helped fund their operations and expand their influence.
The successful raid is a significant blow to the Islamic State group and demonstrates the effectiveness of cooperation between US and Iraqi forces in combating terrorism. It also highlights the ongoing commitment of both countries to work together to eliminate the threat posed by extremist groups in the region.
However, despite this victory, the fight against ISIS is far from over. The group continues to operate in various parts of Iraq and Syria, and their ideology continues to inspire individuals around the world to carry out acts of violence in their name. It is crucial that US and Iraqi forces remain vigilant and continue to work together to root out and eliminate the remaining members of the Islamic State group.
In conclusion, the recent raid targeting ISIS militants is a significant success in the ongoing battle against terrorism in the region. It demonstrates the effectiveness of cooperation between US and Iraqi forces and serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant in the fight against extremist groups. The elimination of these fifteen militants is a step in the right direction, but there is still much work to be done to fully eradicate the threat posed by ISIS.
