US Airstrike Kills Senior ISIS Leader in Syria

WASHINGTON DC (Terror Monitor) — The United States military carried out an airstrike in northwestern Syria last week, killing a senior leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

In a statement posted on the social media platform X on Wednesday, CENTCOM said the strike was conducted on Friday as part of ongoing US counterterrorism operations aimed at disrupting and eliminating militants planning attacks against the United States and its interests abroad. The statement confirmed that ISIS operative Ali Hussein al-Alawi was killed in the operation.

CENTCOM emphasized that US forces will continue targeting ISIS leadership and operational networks to prevent the group from reorganizing and carrying out further attacks.

ISIS, meanwhile, has recently declared a new phase of operations against the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Syria and has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks since February.

The group also claimed responsibility last week for an attack near the town of Manbij in the northeastern province of Aleppo, highlighting its continued activity despite territorial losses.

At its peak during the Syrian civil war more than a decade ago, ISIS controlled nearly a quarter or more of Syria’s territory. However, it was later driven out of these areas through military operations led by a US-backed international coalition and allied local forces.

Despite losing its territorial stronghold, ISIS continues to conduct sporadic attacks across parts of Syria, raising ongoing security concerns in the region.