U.S.-Led Forces Conduct Raid in Syria, Killing Senior ISIS Leader
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — In a significant operation, U.S.-led forces eliminated Islamic State leader Dhiya Zawba Muslih al-Hardan along with his two adult sons during a raid in al-Bab, Aleppo province, on Friday. The U.S. Central Command stated that the trio posed a direct threat to U.S. and Coalition Forces, as well as to the newly established Syrian government. Notably, three women and three children present at the site were unharmed.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the raid marked the first airdrop by the U.S.-led coalition in 2025 and included ground forces from both the Syrian government’s General Security and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Prior to the operation, a strict security cordon and a substantial ground presence were established, complemented by coalition helicopters in the vicinity.
While there was no immediate comment from Damascus or the SDF regarding the raid, tensions remain high. Washington has been fostering closer ties with the new Syrian government since the overthrow of former President Bashar Assad. However, the recent sectarian violence in Sweida, involving clashes between government forces and Druze factions, adds complexity to potential cooperation between the new army and Kurdish forces.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
