Iraqi and US forces eliminate top IS commander in joint operation

Iraqi forces, in collaboration with American troops, successfully eliminated a senior commander of the Islamic State group, Ahmad Hamed Zwein, along with several other militants in a joint operation in Anbar province. This operation, which began in late August, also involved the Iraqi National Intelligence Service and the air force. The military reported that 14 IS commanders were identified through DNA tests, and a significant cache of weapons and explosives was confiscated during the operation. Despite the territorial defeat of IS in Iraq in 2017 and the loss of their last land in Syria in 2019, the group has continued to pose a threat through sleeper cells, leading to an increase in attacks in both countries. The recent operation highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, as IS remnants remain active and capable of inflicting casualties. Two weeks prior to this announcement, a joint raid had already resulted in the deaths of at least 15 individuals, with injuries reported among American troops involved. The U.S. military has not publicly commented on the specifics of the August raid, but it underscores the complex security dynamics in Iraq, where U.S. forces continue to operate alongside Iraqi military units. The U.S. Central Command also reported a separate incident in eastern Syria, where an IS member was killed while preparing an attack against coalition forces. The presence of approximately 2,500 U.S. troops in the region remains contingent on the evolving security situation and the capabilities of Iraqi forces to maintain stability.