US-Led Operation Eliminates 14 ISIS Militants, Including Key Leaders, in Western Iraq

CENTCOM announced via X that the operation aimed to disrupt ISIS's capacity to plan and execute attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as to mitigate threats posed to American citizens, allies, and partners in the region and globally.

Iraqi army soldiers stand guard at a road during fighting between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants southeast of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. (Photo: AP)
Iraqi army soldiers stand guard at a road during fighting between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants southeast of Mosul, Iraq, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. (Photo: AP)

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Saturday the successful elimination of 14 ISIS cell members, including four high-ranking leaders, during a joint operation with Iraqi security forces on August 29 in western Iraq.

CENTCOM announced via X that the operation aimed to disrupt ISIS's capacity to plan and execute attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as to mitigate threats posed to American citizens, allies, and partners in the region and globally.

The statement identified four prominent ISIS leaders among the casualties: Ahmed Hamid Hussein Abdul Jalil al-Ithawi, responsible for all operations in Iraq; Abu Hammam, overseeing all operations in western Iraq; Abu Ali al-Tunisi, in charge of technical development; and Shaker Aboud Ahmed al-Issawi, overseeing military operations in western Iraq.

General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of the US Central Command, affirmed, "CENTCOM remains committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS, who continues to threaten the United States, our allies and partners, and regional stability"

Earlier on Thursday, Iraqi authorities disclosed details of this operation, codenamed "Lions' Leap," launched in the Anbar desert with US support late last month.

The Joint Operations Command stated that the operation resulted in the deaths of 14 militants, including top-tier ISIS leaders. Six of these leaders were identified through DNA testing: the "ISIS Deputy Governor of Iraq," the "Emir of Manufacturing, Development, and the Chemical File," the "Wali of Anbar," the "Military Official of ISIS in Anbar," the "Southern Governor" of ISIS, and the official responsible for economic and financial matters in the "Anbar Province."