15 Islamic State militants killed in desert raid by US and Iraqi forces
The US military says the joint operation targeted the Isis militants in Iraq’s western Anbar Desert region
Five were wounded in the operation, US military officials said, while two others were hurt in falls.
“All personnel are in stable condition,” the official said.
For years after dislodging the militants from their self-declared caliphate across Iraq and Syria, US forces have continued fighting Isis, though the casualties from Friday’s raid were higher than others in the time since.
The US military’s Central Command alleged the militants were armed with “numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive ‘suicide’ belts” during the attack, which Iraqi forces said happened in the country’s the Anbar Desert.
“This operation targeted Isis leaders to disrupt and degrade Isis’ ability to plan, organise, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as US citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond,” Central Command said, using an acronym for the militant group. “Iraqi Security Forces continue to further exploit the locations raided.”