A HH-60 helicopter prepares to land during a medical evacuation exercise within the 55km deconfliction zone in Syria, May 27, 2020. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. William Howard)
At least 15 terrorists of ISIS were killed by United States and Iraqi military forces during a partnered raid in western Iraq, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on August 31.
“U.S. Central Command forces and Iraqi Security Forces conducted a partnered raid in Western Iraq in the early hours of Aug. 29, resulting in the death of 15 ISIS operatives,” the command said in a statement.
It added that the operation “targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond.”
“The ISIS element was armed with numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive “suicide” belts,” according to the statement. “There is no indication of civilian casualties.”
A separate statement released by the Iraqi military said that “airstrikes targeted the hideouts, followed by an airborne operation.”
Two U.S. defense officials told ABC News later that seven U.S. troops were wounded during the partnered operation in western Iraq.
“During the operation, five U.S. personnel were wounded. One of the wounded was evacuated for further treatment,” an unnamed official said.
“Two additional U.S. personnel were injured from falls during the operation, with one also evacuated out of the theater for follow-up care. All personnel are in stable condition,” the official added.
The U.S. maintains roughly 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 others in neighboring Syria, allegedly to combat the remnants of ISIS.
More than a hundred attacks have targeted U.S. forces in the two counties since the outbreak of the Israeli war on the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip last year with Iran-backed armed factions claiming responsibility for most of these attacks.
The U.S. latest operation in Iraq was likely carried out to promote a long-term deployment in Iraq, again using ISIS as an excuse.
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