Image: Special operations forces from Jordan and the U.S. conduct a combined demonstration with commandos from Iraq, unseen, as part of Eager Lion multinational military maneuvers. (June 20, 2013 File photo: AP)
By Smartencyclopedia with Agencies
Baghdad, Iraq — In a significant joint military operation, U.S. forces and Iraqi Security Forces successfully targeted and killed 15 Islamic State (IS) operatives in western Iraq early on Thursday. The operation, aimed at disrupting the militant group’s leadership, marks a critical step in the ongoing efforts to weaken IS’s influence in the region.
According to U.S. Central Command (Centcom), the joint forces encountered fierce resistance from IS members who were heavily armed with weapons, grenades, and explosive “suicide” belts. Despite the intense combat, there were no reported civilian casualties, Centcom confirmed in a statement.
While Centcom has not commented on reports of American casualties, U.S. media outlets have cited defense officials stating that seven American troops were injured during the operation. The specifics of these injuries and the current condition of the soldiers have not been disclosed.
The Iraqi military detailed that the operation began with targeted airstrikes on IS hideouts, followed by an airborne assault in the country’s western desert and caves. The military reported that all IS hideouts were destroyed, weapons and logistical supplies were neutralized, and crucial documents, identification papers, and communication devices were seized.
Centcom emphasized that the operation specifically targeted IS leadership to “disrupt and degrade” the group’s ability to plan and execute attacks against American, Iraqi, and allied forces both within and outside the region.
The U.S. maintains approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq, operating in an “advise and assist” role since officially ending its combat mission in December 2021. Despite the formal end of combat operations, the U.S. military continues to engage in counterterrorism efforts to address the persistent threat posed by IS.
Thursday’s operation follows a series of recent IS-linked incidents in Europe, including an attack in Solingen, Germany, which resulted in three deaths and eight injuries. Additionally, Austrian authorities, with intelligence support from the CIA, recently foiled a plot to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, a plan reportedly orchestrated by a 19-year-old Austrian citizen who had pledged allegiance to IS.
The Islamic State, which once controlled vast territories in Iraq and Syria, has been largely dismantled by a U.S.-led coalition. However, the group’s ability to inspire and radicalize individuals through online propaganda remains a significant concern for global security agencies.
A senior official in London described the current status of IS as “down but not out,” highlighting the ongoing threat the group poses despite its diminished capacity to carry out large-scale coordinated attacks.