SOUTHWEST ASIA, Sept. 29, 2017 — Coalition airstrikes killed three senior and highly skilled Islamic State of Iraq and Syria officials near Mayadin, Syria, Sept. 12-14, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.
Abu Salman, an ISIS drone developer, was killed during airstrikes Sept. 14 while traveling with a terrorist associate in a vehicle from Mayadin to Asharah. His research workshop, located in Asharah, near Mayadin, was also destroyed in the strikes. His death and the destruction of his drone facility greatly disrupt ISIS’ development of weaponized drones and testing of new software.
Abu Muadh al-Tunisi and Sajid Farooq Babar were killed on Sept. 12 and 13, respectively, by coalition airstrikes near Mayadin. Both were responsible for manufacturing and modifying commercially produced drones.
“The removal of these key ISIS leaders disrupts and degrades ISIS’ ability to modify and employ drone platforms as reconnaissance and direct fire weapons on the battlefield,” said coalition spokesman Army Col. Ryan Dillon.
The coalition will continue to exert pressure on ISIS senior leaders and associates across multiple networks to degrade, disrupt and dismantle ISIS structures and defeat terrorists throughout Iraq and Syria.