Official statements from U.S. Central Command or credible news sources

U.S. Airstrike in Deir ez-Zor Kills ISIS Leader Abu Yusif and Second Operative

Dec 20, 2024, 02:46 PM

U.S. Central Command forces conducted a precision airstrike in eastern Syria's Deir ez-Zor province on December 19, killing ISIS leader Abu Yusif, also known as Mahmud, along with another ISIS operative. The operation aims to disrupt ISIS's efforts to plan and execute attacks, including attempts to break out over 8,000 ISIS operatives currently detained in Syria. CENTCOM stated, "We will aggressively target" ISIS operatives.