U.S. forces have killed a high-ranking member of the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) in Syria, according to their own statements. The suspected terrorist was killed in a helicopter operation, said the responsible regional command of the US military (Centcom). Two other gunmen were also killed.

According to the US, the IS member was responsible for planning attacks in Europe and the Middle East. Although the terrorist group is weakened, it is still capable of carrying out attacks in the region, the statement said.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attack took place in the region around Jarabulus, east of Aleppo. The helicopters took off from a base near the Syrian-Turkish border.

The U.S. military is deployed in Syria in areas controlled by the Kurdish militia YPG and its allies. The U.S. armed forces are supporting their fight against ISIS, which had dominated large areas in Syria and neighboring Iraq. Despite the military victory over the militia announced in 2019, its cells continue to be active in the country and carry out attacks. In 2022, IS claimed responsibility for about 280 attacks in Syria.