Drone Strike in Syria Kills Saudi Militant

IDLIB, Syria – A U.S.-led coalition drone strike in northwestern Syria on Friday resulted in the death of Abu Abdul Rahman Makki, a senior leader of the al-Qaida-linked group Horas al-Din. The strike occurred in the Jabal al-Zawiya area of Idlib province while Makki was riding a motorcycle. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation, describing it as a “kinetic strike” aimed at disrupting terrorist activities in the region. Makki was identified as a key figure responsible for overseeing terrorist operations from Syria. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla emphasized the coalition's commitment to defeating threats posed by terrorists to the United States and its allies, as well as to regional stability. The strike reflects ongoing U.S. military efforts to target al-Qaida affiliates in the area, which has seen a series of similar attacks in recent years. Horas al-Din, the group to which Makki belonged, consists of hardline al-Qaida members who separated from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the dominant insurgent faction in Idlib. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Makki was a Saudi citizen and previously led the now-defunct militant group Jund al-Aqsa. Local reports indicated that the strike involved two missiles targeting Makki's motorcycle, marking a significant blow to the militant group. This incident follows a pattern of drone strikes in Idlib, including one last year that killed two other members of Horas al-Din, underscoring the ongoing conflict and the U.S. military's role in counterterrorism efforts in Syria.