US targets IS leaders in Iraq, killing 15 'operatives'

US Central Command says it targeted members of IS leadership in an effort to "disrupt and degrade" the group's plans.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatchHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS ElectionUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessWomen at the HelmFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersUS targets Islamic State in Iraq, killing 15Getty ImagesThe US says its military forces in Iraq have killed 15 Islamic State (IS) "operatives" in a joint operation with Iraqi Security Forces that targeted the militant group's leadership.

US Central Command (Centcom) said it had performed the joint operation in western Iraq early on Thursday.

American and Iraqi troops were met by IS members equipped with "numerous weapons, grenades and explosive 'suicide' belts", it said in a statement. "There is no indication of civilian casualties."

Meanwhile, US media quoted US defence officials as saying that seven American troops were injured. Centcom has not commented on this.

The Iraqi military said in an earlier statement that "air strikes targeted the hideouts, followed by an airborne operation" in the country's "desert and caves".

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clynd2mr5gjo

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