US Central Command said on Monday that a helicopter raid in northern Syria Saturday successfully targeted ISIS official Abu Halil al-Fad’ani, an ISIS Syria Operational and Facilitation official, who was captured during the raid.”
“The capture of ISIS officials like al-Fad’ani increases our ability to locate, target, and remove terrorists from the battlefield,” said Lt. Col. Troy Garlock, CENTCOM spokesperson. The US says it remains committed to defeating ISIS which occupied swaths of Syria and Iraq in 2014. It committed genocide against minority communities such as the Yazidis in Iraq. In 2015 the US began to increase support for forces in Iraq and also in Syria to defeat the terror group.In 2015 the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were created in Syria and they went on to defeat ISIS in many major cities, eventually liberating Raqqa and defeating ISIS in areas in the Euphrates river valley.
By 2019 ISIS was largely defeated, but it continues to have cells that operate in the desert in Syria and Iraq. These ISIS cells prey on locals, recruiting some and also spreading terror. For instance ISIS has killed civilians in Syria who go out to the desert to hunt for truffles.In August a French paratrooper was killed in Iraq while backing Iraqi forces against ISIS. The US-led Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve is the main component of the war on ISIS. This includes a coalition of countries. US Central Command oversees operations in the Middle East.
Why the capture of Al-Fadani matters
The capture of Al-Fadani may be important in defeating what remains of ISIS. However, US forces have other challenges in Syria. In recent months there have been tensions between Arab tribes in the Euphrates Valley and the SDF.Iran has sought to threaten US forces as well. The tribes are backed by the Syrian regime and are also encouraged in their attacks by Turkish-backed Syrian rebel groups. This presents a challenge in defeating ISIS.Even if ISIS is defeated other groups spread extremism and instability in parts of Syria. Iran, Russia, Turkey and the Syrian regime all want the US to leave Syria and use various means to accomplish this end by exploiting tribal divisions. US forces have facilities in Syria at Tanf and also near the Omar and Conoco facilities, as well as other sites.It was not clear from the US report where the raid against ISIS took place in northern Syria. It could be in areas under Turkish control. In the past ISIS members have sought refuge in these areas. It could also be in the desert somewhere in areas where no government has complete control.