US Central Command says it targeted members of IS leadership in an effort to “disrupt and degrade” the group’s plans.
The 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”.
“All hideouts, weapons, and logistical support were destroyed, explosive belts were safely detonated and important documents, identification papers and communication devices were seized.”
The White House National Security Council and the Pentagon referred the BBC to Centcom for comment.
Centcom said it had targeted members of IS leadership in an effort to “disrupt and degrade” the group’s ability to plan, organise and attack Americans, Iraqis and allies within and outside the region.
There are approximately 2,500 US troops currently in Iraq, though they remain there in an “advise and assist” capacity since the US military announced the end of its combat effort in the country in December 2021.
Iraq announced on 15 August that it would postpone a planned end-date for the US military operations in the country.
Thursday’s operation follows a recent attack in Germany and a plot in Austria that are being investigated for their links to IS.
