U.S. Forces Take Out Top ISIS Leader In Syria

American forces killed a senior ISIS leader and two of his adult sons in Syria early Friday morning, the U.S. military announced. 

U.S. Central Command said that senior ISIS leader Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani was killed during a raid in al-Bab, Syria. All-Hardani “posed a threat” to American and coalition forces as well as the new Syrian government, CENTCOM said. 

“We will continue to relentlessly pursue ISIS terrorists wherever they operate. ISIS terrorists are not safe where they sleep, where they operate, and where they hide,” said CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla. “Alongside our partners and allies, U.S. Central Command is committed to the enduring defeat of ISIS terrorists that threaten the region, our allies, and our homeland.”

Two of al-Hardani’s adult sons, Abdallah Dhiya and Abd al-Rahman Dhiya Zawba, were killed in the raid. CENTCOM said that both were affiliated with ISIS. Three women and three children present at the location were unharmed. 

There were no American casualties during the raid, which took place about 29 miles northwest of Aleppo.

In recent months, the Trump administration shifted American policy on Syria, dropping sanctions and moving to relax export restrictions. The move came as President Donald Trump has been friendly with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. 

During a May meeting with al-Sharaa, Trump called him a “young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.”

Al-Sharaa, who has portrayed himself as a moderate, has previously been tied to various terrorist groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Al-Qaeda. Trump pushed him during their meeting to help the United States target ISIS.

In recent days, the Trump administration has also pressed al-Sharaa to crack down on terror groups attacking religious minorities in the country. 

U.S. forces have continued to target ISIS operatives throughout the Middle East. In March, an American strike took out Abu Khadijah, a top ISIS leader who was hiding in Iraq. Khadijah was the chief of global operations and the delegated committee emir for ISIS and, officially, the second-in-command for the Islamic terrorist organization.