Overview

• U.S. Central Command forces executed an early-morning airdrop raid in al-Bab, Aleppo, killing senior ISIS leader Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani and his two adult sons.
• Syrian General Security forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces joined U.S. troops on the ground for the operation.
• Three women and three children present at the raid site escaped unharmed, according to a CENTCOM statement.
• Coalition officials said the targeted militants had posed threats to U.S. and partner forces as well as to the new Syrian government.
• The airborne assault marks the first U.S.-led airdrop against ISIS this year and underscores efforts to integrate the new Syrian army with Kurdish forces while dismantling Islamic State networks.