The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the elimination of the leader of the Islamic State Abu Yusif in an airstrike in Syria.

As indicated by CENTCOM, the strike was carried out on December 19 in the governorate of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, in an area previously controlled by the forces of the Syrian regime and Russia. As a result of the operation, another ISIS militant was also killed.

CENTCOM Commander General Michael Eric Kurilla noted that the airstrike was part of the US efforts to prevent the strengthening of terrorists of this group in the context of political instability in Syria after the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

He added that the US will continue to actively attack ISIS leaders and militants, including those who are trying to organize operations outside of Syria.