A coordinated operation by American and Iraqi forces resulted in the deaths of 15 Islamic State fighters in western Iraq, with seven US soldiers sustaining injuries, according to a statement by US Central Command on Friday.
According to the AFP, the early Thursday morning raid specifically targeted leaders within the Islamic State group.
CENTCOM reported that the IS fighters were “armed with numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive ‘suicide’ belts,” and confirmed that there were “no indications of civilian casualties.”
CENTCOM stated, “Iraqi forces are continuing to further exploit the locations raided,” adding that the operation took place in western Iraq without specifying the exact location.
During the raid, five US troops were injured in combat, while two others sustained injuries due to falls.
“One of the wounded soldiers was evacuated for medical treatment, along with one of the personnel injured in a fall,” a defense official disclosed, noting that all seven injured personnel are in stable condition.
The operation underscores the ongoing threat posed by the Islamic State group in the region. “ISIS remains a threat to the region, our allies, as well as our homeland,” CENTCOM emphasized.
“US CENTCOM, alongside our coalition and Iraqi partners, will continue to aggressively pursue these terrorists.”
This operation occurs amidst ongoing discussions between Baghdad and Washington about the future presence of coalition forces in Iraq.
While Iraq has expressed a desire for the complete withdrawal of these forces, no specific timeline has been established.
Currently, the United States maintains approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of the broader international coalition against IS.
Coalition forces have faced numerous attacks, including rocket and drone strikes, in both Iraq and Syria, particularly as tensions have escalated in the region following the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Last winter, the Islamic Resistance of Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed groups, claimed responsibility for around 175 rocket and drone attacks against US forces in Iraq and Syria. In response, US forces have conducted multiple retaliatory strikes against these groups.
The recent raid comes less than a week after US forces successfully eliminated a senior leader of an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group in Syria, further demonstrating the ongoing efforts to combat extremist threats in the region.
