President Biden announced the leader of ISIS has been killed in Syria.
“U.S. military forces in the northwest Syria successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation to protect the American people and our Allies, and make the world a safer place.” President Biden said in a statement.
A U.S. official said Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi exploded a bomb that killed himself and members of his family during the overnight raid.
“Knowing that terrorist had chosen to surround himself with families, including children, we made a choice to pursue a Special Forces raid at a much a greater risk to our own people rather than targeting him with an airstrike.” Biden said from the Roosevelt Room.
The statement continued, “Thanks to the skill and bravery of our Armed Forces, we have taken off the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi—the leader of ISIS. All Americans have returned safely from the operation.”
Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi became the head of the group in October of 2019 shortly after the former leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died during a U.S. raid in the same area.
President Biden said he is “determined to protect the American people from terrorist threats.”