Biden gave a remark on the overnight operation that killed ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi in Idlib, northwest Syria. He said the operation was “a testament to America’s reach and capability to take our terrorist threats no matter where they try to hide anywhere in the world.”
“We will continue working with our close allies and partners - the Syrian Democratic Forces, Iraqi security forces, including the Kurdish Peshmerga - and more than 80 members of the global coalition to keep pressuring on ISIS to protect our homeland,” he added.
The global coalition against ISIS was formally established in October 2014, after ISIS took control of vast swathes of territories in Iraq and Syria. Consisting of 84 nations, the US-led Coalition’s mission has been “degrading and ensuring Daesh’s enduring defeat,” it says on its website, using Arabic acronym for the extremist group.
The US has provided Peshmerga forces with weapons, salaries and training, and supported them in anti-ISIS military operations.
The combat mission of the Coalition ended in Iraq at the end of the last year but it continues in Syria. The Coalition continues advising Iraqi forces and Peshmerga.
The Kurdistan Region Prime Minister congratulated the US for the killing of ISIS leader.
“The removal of the terrorist Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi from a region he did so much to harm is welcomed by our people and our Yazidi brothers and sisters in particular,” said Barzani. “Qurayshi’s ruinous legacy of genocide and destruction has now ended. And ISIS has suffered another painful blow.”
“We congratulate the US military and @POTUS on their successful mission. I urge the United States and the Global Coalition to continue its train and equip program for our Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi Army. This terror group is far from over,” he added.
"We remain vigilant. We remain prepared. Last night's operation took a major terrorist leader off the battlefield, and it sent a strong message to terrorists around the world: We will come after you and find you,” noted Biden in his speech.
The killing of the high-ranking ISIS leader took place on a property in Atmeh, north of Idlib and just east of the border with Turkey.
The death of Qurayshi comes three years after US special forces killed former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a similar-style attack in 2019 in the same area.
LIVE: US President Joe Biden gives a statement on the overnight operation that killed ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi in Idlib, northwest Syria. https://t.co/sBANAbpWS7
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) February 3, 2022
