August 31st 2024.
In a joint effort between the United States military and Iraq, a raid was launched targeting suspected members of the Islamic State group in the western desert of the country. This operation, which took place on Friday, resulted in the death of at least 15 individuals and left seven American troops injured, according to officials who provided details on Saturday.
Despite the fact that the Islamic State group was driven out of their self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq and Syria, the US forces have continued to combat the militant group. However, the casualties from this particular raid were higher than previous ones that have taken place since the group was dislodged.
The Central Command of the US military stated that the militants were armed with various weapons, grenades, and even explosive suicide belts during the attack that occurred on Thursday. Iraqi forces reported that the raid took place in the Anbar Desert of the country. The purpose of this operation was to target leaders of the Islamic State group and disrupt their ability to plan and carry out attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as US citizens and allies in the region and beyond. The Central Command also mentioned that the Iraqi Security Forces have been taking advantage of the locations that were raided.
Furthermore, the statement from the Central Command mentioned that there were no indications of civilian casualties during the operation. On the other hand, the Iraqi military released a statement saying that airstrikes were used to target hideouts, followed by an airborne operation. This resulted in the death of several key leaders of the Islamic State group, although their identities were not disclosed. The statement also mentioned that all hideouts, weapons, and logistical support were destroyed, and any explosive belts were safely detonated. Additionally, important documents, identification papers, and communication devices were seized.
According to an anonymous US defense official, who spoke about the operation with the Associated Press, five American troops were wounded during the raid, while two others were injured from falls. One of the injured soldiers was transported out of the Middle East, while another was evacuated for further treatment. Fortunately, all of the personnel involved are in stable condition.
It is unclear why it took two days for the US to acknowledge their involvement in the raid. When the operation was initially announced by Iraq, there was no mention of the US taking part. This comes at a time when there is ongoing debate among politicians about the future of American troops in Iraq.
At its peak, the Islamic State group controlled an area that was half the size of the United Kingdom. During this time, the group enforced their extreme interpretation of Islam, which included brutal attacks on religious minorities and harsh punishments for fellow Muslims who were deemed as apostates. To combat this, a coalition of more than 80 countries, led by the US, was formed. As a result, the group lost control of the territory they held in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019. However, they have continued to operate in the Anbar Desert of Iraq and Syria, and have also claimed responsibility for attacks carried out by others around the world. The IS branch in Afghanistan is known for their extremely violent assaults.
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