US Military Reports Joint Operation with Iraq Kills 15 ISIS Operatives

Washington DC, August 31:
On Friday the US military said that 15 ISIS operatives were killed in a joint operation in western Iraq. The operation involved both US and Iraqi forces.

"Armed with numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive'suicide' belts," US Central Command said in a statement on the 15 ISIS militants that were slain. Civilians were not reported to have been killed, according to CENTCOM.

"This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS' ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond," according to the report.

U.S. forces have stated that Iraqi security forces are attempting "to further exploit the locations raided," adding that ISIS is still a "threat to the region, our allies, as well as our homeland." According to CENTCOM, the United States will maintain its vigorous pursuit of ISIS operatives with coalition and Iraqi allies.

The US military operation against ISIS, Operation Inherent Resolve, has been delayed by Iraqi officials citing "recent developments," prompting speculation about the long-term US military involvement in the Gulf state in light of the rising tensions in the area, as reported by CNN.

After announcing the end of its combat engagement in Iraq in December 2021, the United States military has maintained a presence of about 2,500 troops in the nation to "advise and assist" in the ongoing situation.

It is worth mentioning that the Middle East has been experiencing heightened tensions recently due to the Israel-Hamas war and the US's preparations for what could be an Iranian strike on Israel in response to the assassination of a Hamas political leader in Tehran in late July.

Israel has not acknowledged nor rejected Iran's accusation that it was responsible for the assassination.

In anticipation of potential reprisal, the United States Department of Defense earlier this month announced the deployment of a fighter squadron, extra warships, and a carrier strike group to the Middle East. According to CNN, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has expedited the deployment of a carrier strike group to the area and ordered the deployment of a guided-missile submarine.