Small Wars Journal

US Attack in Syria Kills ISIS Heir Apparent, Pentagon Says

Fri, 03/25/2016 - 11:15am

US Attack in Syria Kills ISIS Heir Apparent, Pentagon Says by Matthew Rosenberg and Michael S. Schmidt, New York Times

The United States killed a top Islamic State commander in Syria who was believed to be in line to lead the terrorist group, Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said on Friday.

The killing of a top commander, Abd al-Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli, who is also known by other names, comes as the United States is having increased success targeting the Islamic State’s leadership. Last week, Defense Department officials concluded that American strikes had killed the group’s minister of war, Omar al-Shishani.

“We are systematically eliminating ISIL’s cabinet,” Mr. Carter said at a news conference, using an acronym for the group.

But he made clear that the challenge was not that simple…

Read on.