The US military announced on Saturday that four suspected Islamic State (ISIS) leaders were killed during a recent joint operation with Iraqi security forces in western Iraq. Among those killed was Ahmad Hamid Husayn Abd-al-Jalil al-Ithawi, the individual responsible for overseeing all ISIS operations in Iraq.

The raid took place in Anbar province’s Wadi al-Ghadaf on August 29, targeting a key ISIS stronghold. While the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Iraqi military initially provided differing death tolls, CENTCOM now confirms that 14 ISIS militants were killed in the operation, down from its initial count of 15. The Iraqi military, however, later revised its toll to 16.

The US Army identified the four ISIS leaders killed as Ahmad al-Ithawi, who oversaw all operations in Iraq; Abu Hammam, in charge of operations in western Iraq; Abu-‘Ali al-Tunisi, responsible for technical development; and Shakir Abud Ahmad al-Issawi, overseeing military operations in western Iraq.

“This operation targeted ISIS leaders and served to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

Seven US personnel were injured during the operation, which was centered in a region the Iraqi military has described as an “important den” for remaining ISIS fighters.

ISIS, which seized large parts of Iraq in 2014, was declared territorially defeated in 2017 but continues to carry out attacks, particularly in disputed areas between Erbil and Baghdad. CENTCOM reiterated its commitment to ensuring the group's lasting defeat. General Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM's commander, emphasized the ongoing threat posed by ISIS to regional stability and US interests.