In a joint military operation on Thursday, U.S. Army Rangers and Iraqi Intelligence Service operators carried out a raid in western Iraq’s Anbar province, targeting high-ranking members of the Islamic State (ISIS). The operation resulted in the deaths of 15 ISIS militants, including several leaders, according to statements released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Iraqi authorities.
The operation, which occurred in the early hours, involved coordinated airstrikes followed by an airborne assault on the militants’ hideouts. The ISIS operatives were reported to be heavily armed, with numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive suicide belts. The raid was designed to disrupt and degrade ISIS’s ability to conduct future attacks against both Iraqi civilians and international targets, including U.S. personnel and interests in the region.
During the operation, seven U.S. soldiers sustained injuries. According to defense officials, none of the injuries are life-threatening, although several soldiers may have suffered traumatic brain injuries, and one soldier received external injuries. All injured service members are currently in stable condition.
The raid reflects ongoing efforts by the U.S. and Iraqi forces to counter the remnants of ISIS, which continues to pose a significant threat in the region. U.S. forces, currently numbering around 2,500 in Iraq, remain on a train-and-advise mission to support Iraqi security forces in their ongoing battle against ISIS. The operation also underscores the continuing cooperation between U.S. and Iraqi forces, even as discussions regarding the future of U.S. military presence in Iraq are underway.
No civilian casualties were reported during the operation, and Iraqi forces are continuing to exploit the locations raided to further disrupt ISIS activities.
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