US strike in Syria on 'senior' militant, US military says

Killing 'will disrupt Al Qaeda's ability to carry out attacks', US defence says

(FILES) In this US Air Force file photo taken on October 21, 2015 a MQ-1B Predator remotely piloted aircraft flies overhead during a training mission, in Nevada. The US Army said on October 22, 2020 it carried out a drone strike against Al-Qaeda leaders in northwest Syria near the border, killing 14 jihadists, according to a war monitor. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) said the victims included five foreigners and six commanders. "US Forces conducted a strike against a group of al-Qaeda in (AQ-S) senior leaders meeting near Idlib, Syria," said Major Beth Riordan, the spokeswoman for United States Central Command (CENTCOM). / AFP / US AIR FORCE / - / = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / US AIR FORCE/432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS =
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The US carried out a strike in Syria's Idlib province on Monday on a senior leader of an Al Qaeda-aligned militant group, the American military said.

The strikes were aimed at Abu Hamzah Al Yemeni, a "senior leader" of Hurras Al Din, while he was travelling alone on a motorcycle, the military said.

"Violent extremist organisations, including Al Qaeda-aligned organisations such as Hurras Al Din, continue to present a threat to America and our allies," US Central Command said.

"Al Qaeda-aligned militants use Syria as a safe haven to co-ordinate with their external affiliates and plan operations outside of Syria.

"The removal of this senior leader will disrupt Al Qaeda's ability to carry out attacks against US citizens, our partners and innocent civilians around the world."

It said that an initial review did not indicate any civilian casualties.

The Syrian Civil Defence, a humanitarian organisation, said in a tweet that a man was killed shortly before midnight after his motorcycle was attacked with two rockets.

The defence said it had transferred the body to the forensics department in Idlib city.

Reuters contributed reporting

Updated: June 27, 2022, 11:52 PM