U.S. forces carried out a targeted raid early Friday morning in the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, killing senior ISIS leader Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani along with his two sons, Abdallah Dhiya al-Hardani and Abd al-Rahman Dhiya Zawba al-Hardani, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
The raid was conducted in coordination with the Syrian Interim Government and supported by coalition aircraft. CENTCOM stated that all three individuals were affiliated with ISIS and posed an active threat to U.S. and coalition forces as well as to Syria’s new administration.
“These ISIS individuals posed a threat to U.S. and Coalition Forces, as well as the new Syrian Government,” CENTCOM said in its official statement.
General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, added, “We will continue to relentlessly pursue ISIS terrorists wherever they operate. ISIS terrorists are not safe where they sleep, where they operate, and where they hide. Alongside our partners and allies, U.S. Central Command is committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS terrorists that threaten the region, our allies, and our homeland.”
US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces have killed a senior ISIL (ISIS) leader and his two sons affiliated to the group in Syria’s Aleppo region, says the US military https://t.co/AelwJOMqRY pic.twitter.com/h6cU2krYFK
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 25, 2025
According to local sources cited by Syrian media, U.S. special operations forces were airdropped into al-Bab by helicopter during the night. Social media posts and unconfirmed videos captured the sound of helicopters and aircraft over the town, though no visual confirmation.
#Syria: last night a joint Syrian-US operation was carried out against #ISIS cells in the town of Al-Bab (N. #Aleppo).
The operation involved Defense Ministry troops, Security forces and a US special forces airdrop.
According to local sources, 4 members were reportedly killed… pic.twitter.com/2CBsT9AZjI— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) July 25, 2025
The operation began overnight with airstrikes and an air assault, followed by a large ground movement involving approximately 30 vehicles. A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker was also reported in the area, indicating extended aerial operations.
Syria and the US (and maybe Turkey) jointly raided an ISIS cell in the city of al-Bab around 2 am. A 45-year-old Iraqi ISIS leader was allegedly arrested. pic.twitter.com/0C66N3wjME
— Cagatay Cebe (@Mucagcebe) July 25, 2025
Local media reported that two ISIS members detonated suicide vests during the confrontation. A senior Iraqi ISIS figure was also reportedly detained during the raid, though CENTCOM has not released his name.
No U.S. personnel were injured. Six civilians—three women and three children—present at the target site were unharmed, CENTCOM confirmed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported multiple ISIS casualties and stated that allied Syrian ground forces secured the area following the raid. The Burkan al-Furat operations room, a coalition of Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units and factions of the Free Syrian Army, claimed involvement in the operation.
This raid may mark the first known instance of U.S. forces operating in tandem with Syrian government troops on the ground. While CENTCOM has previously coordinated with the new Syrian regime to obtain intelligence for airstrikes against ISIS and al-Qaeda-affiliated groups, direct joint operations have not been reported.
Also noteworthy is what may be the first recorded instance of Kurdish protection units affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) operating alongside Syrian government security forces. Although the two sides signed a formal agreement in March intended to integrate Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Damascus-controlled security structures, implementation has been inconsistent. Reports since the signing indicate resistance within the SDF due to concerns over sectarian violence and allegations of religious and ethnic targeting by pro-government units.
