Islamic State leader who planned attacks on Europe killed in US airstrike in Syria

A senior Islamic State leader responsible for planning ISIS attacks in Europe has been killed by the US in Syria.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Monday that Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri was killed in a unilateral strike that did not kill or injure any civilians.

He was one of the top leaders of the Islamic State terrorist group who was “responsible for planning ISIS attacks in Europe” as well as “developing the leadership structure” of the terrorist group, according to the report.

CENTCOM officials said his death would “temporarily disrupt the organization’s ability to plan external attacks.” It did not reveal where in the country the attack took place.

The statement warned that “although degraded, the group remains capable of operating in the region with a desire to strike beyond the Middle East.”

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The Islamic State established a self-governing “caliphate” in Syria and Iraq in 2014. It was defeated in late 2017 after a campaign by the US and Western allies.

The US has targeted senior Islamic State leaders to ensure the group does not regain momentum.

Last month Hamza al-Homsi died in a helicopter attackmeanwhile Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qureishi was killed in February 2021, and the founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October 2019.