The US killed Maher al-Agal, leader of the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) terrorist group in Syria, in a drone strike on Tuesday. Al-Agal was one of the group’s top four leaders, and the strike also targeted one of his deputies, officials say.
Al-Agal’s death was announced on Tuesday by the Pentagon’s Central Command (CENTCOM), the military command covering the Middle East. CENTCOM said that the strike took place outside Jindayris in northwest Syria, an area currently under the control of Turkish-backed forces.
A deputy of al-Agal was also targeted in the strike, and was seriously injured, according to a CENTCOM statement.
“The removal of these ISIS leaders will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out attacks,” CENTCOM spokesman Col. Joe Buccino said. “ISIS continues to represent a threat to the US and partners in the region.”