US Says Drone Attack Kills ISIS Leader Usamah al-Muhajir in Syria

The US forces utilized the same drones that Russian aircraft have been targeting in recent days to eliminate an ISIS leader in Syria.

The United States Central Command announced on Sunday that three MQ-9 Reaper drones had eliminated Usamah al-Muhajir in an airstrike two days prior.

ISIS Leader Killed by US Drone Strike

There are no indications that any civilians were slain in the strike, according to CENTCOM, though the United States and its allies are evaluating allegations of civilian injury. However, the strike did not occur until 18 unprofessional near passes by Russian forces prompted the MQ-9s to avoid hazardous situations.

A Defense Department official told the Associated Press on Sunday that three Reaper drones were harassed by Russian forces for approximately two hours while searching for a militant on Friday.

Drones were forced to perform evasive maneuvers to avoid a potentially hazardous situation. Once the area was cleared, the drones could strike Muhajir, who was traveling on a motorcycle in the Aleppo region, according to the anonymous official.

Although he was slain near Aleppo, al-Muhajir predominantly operated in the country's east as the terrorist organization seeks to reclaim a large portion of Syria and Iraq. In 2014, it controlled one-third of Syria and Iraq. The group adheres to an extreme interpretation of Islam, perpetrating atrocities such as the massacre of thousands of Yazidis.

Since the collapse of the jihadist group's "caliphate" in 2019, three ISIS leaders have been eliminated, including its creator Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The latest death occurred in October.

About 900 American troops remain in Syria to assist the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in their fight against Islamic State extremists. It is unknown what function al-Muhajir played within the terrorist organization.

US Drones Harrassed by Russian Forces

Russian forces attacked US drones in the region for the third day on Friday, alleging that the United States violated protocol in Syrian airspace. However, a Pentagon spokesperson refuted these allegations. Per NY Post, the successful strike comes after the drones engaged in a series of fraught standoffs with Russian fighter aircraft over Syria last week.

During the encounter, which occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, Russian aircraft dropped a series of flares in front of the drones. They flew dangerously near, jeopardizing the safety of all aircraft involved, according to Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich.

According to Grynkewich, approximately twenty-four hours earlier, Russian aircraft deployed parachute flares in front of the drones, compelling them to perform evasive maneuvers.

At one point, a Russian jet cut in front of one of the drones and activated its afterburners, reducing "the operator's capacity to securely operate the aircraft," according to the officer. Russian aircraft in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad harassed US drones participating in the anti-ISIS mission in Syria three times as many days during the previous week.