Seven US soldiers wounded, dozens terrorists killed during raid on ISIS fighters

Seven US soldiers wounded, dozens terrorists killed during raid on ISIS fighters

In a significant military operation earlier this week, seven U.S. service members were injured and at least 14 Islamic State fighters were killed in western Iraq.

The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) revealed on Saturday that all the injured troops are in stable condition following the raid.

The early Thursday morning operation, conducted by both U.S. and Iraqi forces, was aimed at disrupting the operational capabilities of ISIS leaders in Iraq.

Centcom described the mission as part of ongoing efforts to undermine the group’s ability to orchestrate attacks within the region and beyond. Specific identities of the targeted ISIS leaders were not disclosed.

While U.S. officials reported 15 ISIS fighters dead, the Iraqi military confirmed 14 casualties, noting that the discrepancy might be clarified after DNA testing. The joint operation commenced around 4 a.m. in the Al-Hazeemi area, east of Wadi Al-Ghadaf in the Anbar desert. The raid involved precise airstrikes on four well-camouflaged ISIS hideouts, followed by an airborne assault, according to Iraqi military sources.

The militants were heavily armed, equipped with grenades and suicide vests, and appeared prepared for a confrontation. The operation successfully destroyed all four hideouts, along with the weapons and ammunition stored within them. Additionally, critical documents, computers, and phones were seized for intelligence purposes.

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On Saturday, Iraqi officials reported that a counterterrorism team had intercepted a vehicle attempting to flee the scene, resulting in the arrest of two individuals carrying documents.

Among the seven injured U.S. soldiers, two required evacuation for further medical care. According to a U.S. defense official, who spoke anonymously, the injuries included those sustained in a fall during the operation. The exact nature of the other injuries remains undisclosed.

There were no civilian casualties reported, and it is unclear whether any Iraqi forces were injured during the mission. The relatively high number of injuries among U.S. personnel highlights the ongoing risks faced by the 2,500 American troops stationed in Iraq, alongside another 900 in Syria, as they continue to battle ISIS remnants.

This raid also comes amidst a rise in drone and rocket attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, primarily attributed to Iranian-backed groups, as tensions remain high due to Washington’s support for Israel amid its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The Biden administration has responded with limited airstrikes after several U.S. soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Jordan earlier this year.

The presence of U.S. forces in Iraq remains a contentious issue, with ongoing discussions between Washington and Baghdad regarding a potential reduction in troop numbers, though no definitive plans have been announced.

Seven US soldiers wounded, dozens terrorists killed during raid on ISIS fighters