Centcom says four ISIS leaders killed in US-Iraq raid

Total of 14 dead in joint operation to 'disrupt and degrade' extremists' operations

An ISIS fighter carrying the group's flag in 2015. US troops are stationed in Iraq and Syria as part of an international coalition to fight the remnants of ISIS. Getty Images

US Central Command on Friday said that 14 ISIS operatives, among them four major figures in the group, had been killed as part of a joint raid in western Iraq on August 29.

“This operation targeted ISIS leaders and served to disrupt and degrade ISIS’s ability to plan, organise and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as US citizens, allies and partners throughout the region and beyond,” Centcom said in a statement.

“As part of the continuing post-raid assessment, Centcom can confirm that four ISIS leaders were killed.”

Ahmad Al Ithawi, who headed operations in Iraq; Abu Hammam, who oversaw operations in western Iraq; Abu-Ali Al Tunisi, who oversaw technical development and Shakir Al Issawi, who co-ordinated military operations in western Iraq, were among those killed.

The initial statement Centcom published shortly after the joint raid reported 15 ISIS operatives were killed. Centcom did not provide information on the disparity in numbers. There were no civilian casualties, Centcom added.

Thousands of US troops are stationed in Iraq and Syria as part of an international coalition to fight the remnants of ISIS. Iraq is in conversations with the US about the departure of coalition troops, although a US official said last week that it is likely that there will still be some American troops in the country after the pullout.