US Eliminates IS Leader... Biden: "Counterterrorism Operation Success, Will Continue Pressuring IS"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The United States announced in the early hours of the 3rd (local time) that it eliminated Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi (46), the leader of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS), through a U.S. special forces operation in northwestern Syria.

U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed in a national address at the White House that IS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi died during the U.S. military's elimination operation. He emphasized, "The U.S. military successfully carried out an anti-terrorism operation to protect Americans and our allies," adding, "a major global terrorist threat has been removed."

Al-Qurashi reportedly resisted when U.S. special forces raided his hideout in northwestern Syria in the early morning Syrian time, and ultimately detonated a bomb, killing himself along with his wife and children. President Biden criticized, "The IS leader chose the cowardly act of self-detonation rather than facing justice for the crimes he committed." He also stated that the U.S. will continue to cooperate with allies and partners to maintain pressure on IS.

This anti-terrorism operation is considered the largest since October 2019, when U.S. special forces eliminated Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the then IS leader. Like al-Qurashi, al-Baghdadi also detonated a suicide bomb during a U.S. attack in 2019. President Biden personally observed the operation to eliminate al-Qurashi at the White House alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Council (NSC) staff.

It is known that al-Qurashi had been residing in this hideout with his wife, children, and younger sister for about 11 months. The Syrian civil defense group, the 'White Helmets,' reported that at least 13 people, including children and women, were killed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.