US and Iraqi forces launched a joint attack against the suspects. Islamic State Militants in the country’s western desert killed at least 15 people and wounded seven US soldiers in the operation, officials said Saturday.
Years after driving insurgents from their self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq and Syria, U.S. forces have continued to battle the Islamic State group, though casualties in Friday’s attack were higher than in others.
The US military’s Central Command said the militants were armed with “more life-threatening weapons, grenades and belts” during Thursday’s attack, which Iraqi forces said took place in the country’s Anbar desert.
Central Command, using the militant acronym, said: “This operation is aimed at disrupting and degrading ISIS’s ability to plan, organize, and carry out attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as American citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond.” The group said Iraqi security forces continue to make increased use of the targeted locations.
“There are no indications of civilian casualties.”
“Airstrikes targeted shelters, followed by airstrikes,” the Iraqi military said in a statement.
The Iraqi military said, without revealing their identities, that “among the dead were key ISIS leaders.” “All shelters, weapons and supplies were destroyed, explosive belts were safely detonated and important documents, identification papers and communication devices were confiscated.”
A U.S. Defense Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity because details of the operation have not yet been released, told The Associated Press that five U.S. soldiers were wounded in the attack and two others were injured in the fall. One person who fell was airlifted from the Middle East, while one of the wounded was evacuated for further treatment, the official said.
“All personnel are in stable condition,” the official said.
It is unclear why it took the United States two days to admit it was involved in the raid. When it was first announced, Iraq did not say the United States was involved in the operation, as Iraqi politicians debated the future of having American troops in the country.
At its peak, Islamic State attempted to impose a strict interpretation of Islam on an area half the size of Britain, including attacks on minority religious groups and harsh punishments for apostate Muslims.
A coalition of more than 80 countries was created to fight this group, which was under its control in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019. They operate in the Anbar desert of Iraq and Syria.while alleging attacks carried out by others around the world. The Islamic State branch in Afghanistan is known for its bloody attacks.
Gambrel writes for the Associated Press.
