During a near-midnight raid the morning of February 3, U.S. Special Operations accomplished the premeditated killing of the most wanted terrorist in the world: Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi (also known as Hajji Abdullah), the global leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The 45-year-old al-Qurayshi, who led the terrorist group that broadcasts videos of beheadings, reportedly self-detonated a bomb, ultimately killing himself and his family members inside a three-story apartment building.
U.S. Special Operations arrived in Atmeh, Syria (located near the border with Turkey) after discovering al-Qurayshi in Atmeh last year.
The raid has been planned for months.
Approximately twenty-four U.S. operatives were transported via helicopters.
An Arabic translator with a loudspeaker was employed to demand the surrender of al-Qurayshi, instructing women, children, and any other residents to evacuate the Atmeh apartment building immediately.
After demanding surrender and evacuation, a top-floor explosion occurred due to an al-Qurayshi-detonated bomb.
The detonation killed thirteen people, including four women and six children.
The U.S. operatives encountered machine gun blasts as agents of al-Qurayshi discharged fire at the American helicopters.
One aircraft had mechanical issues upon attempting to land and was destroyed.
Nevertheless, all Americans involved in the raid are accounted for and safe.
When ISIS predecessor Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed via suicide vest during a U.S. raid in October 2019, al-Qurayshi assumed leadership of the organization.
Since defeat during battle three years ago, ISIS recently increased its attacks to regain control and establish dominance. The emboldened terrorist group even sought to seize a prison in northeast Syria holding three thousand of its members.
At 10:21 a.m., President Biden delivered remarks of commendation from the White House: “I’m grateful for the immense courage and skill and determination of our U.S. forces who skillfully executed this incredibly challenging mission. The members of our military are the solid-steel backbone of this nation, ready to fly into danger at a moment’s notice to keep our country and the American people safe, as well as our Allies. And I’m also grateful to the families of our service members. You serve right alongside these soldiers and sailors, Marines, special forces—the loved ones—giving them the strength and support they need to do what they do. To our service members and their families: We are forever grateful for what you do for us, and we owe you a debt. Thank you.”
