President Joe Biden says that a U.S. special forces raid killed the leader of the Islamic State terrorist group.
Biden wrote in a statement early Thursday that, at his direction, on Wednesday night “U.S. military forces in the northwest Syria successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation to protect the American people and our Allies, and make the world a safer place.”
“Thanks to the skill and bravery of our Armed Forces, we have taken off the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi—the leader of ISIS,” he added. “All Americans have returned safely from the operation.”
The president is expected to deliver remarks on the raid Thursday morning.
BREAKING: Pres. Biden says U.S. forces raid in Syria killed ISIS leader. https://t.co/eOwhB9vkcn pic.twitter.com/roA0yH7Gp9
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 3, 2022
The raid in northwestern Syria resulted in 13 people being killed, including six children and four women, according to the Associated Press (AP), which cites first responders on the scene.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in a statement, “The mission was successful,” adding, “There were no U.S. casualties. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”
UPDATE [2/3/22, 11:18 a.m. EST]:
President Biden said during his remarks on the raid, “We do know that as our troops approached to capture the terrorist, in a final act of desperate cowardness, with no regard to the lives of his own families or others in the building, he chose to blow himself up,” adding, “Not just at the vest but to blow up that third floor, rather than face justice for the crimes he has committed, taking several members of his family with him just as his predecessor did.”