A U.S. military raid on Friday in northwestern Syria resulted in the deaths of a high-ranking Islamic State leader and his two sons, according to information released by the Department of Defense.
According to The Hill, in a targeted operation near Aleppo, U.S. forces eliminated ISIS commander Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani and his two sons, both affiliated with the group, with no casualties among American troops or nearby civilians.
The operation was carried out in the Aleppo region, a part of Syria that has seen numerous anti-terror activities over the past decade. Central Command (Centcom), which oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, confirmed that the goal of the operation was to prevent potential attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel, as well as Syria’s recently established government.
Targeted Operation Removes Key Militant Threat
Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani was identified by U.S. officials as a senior figure within the Islamic State network. His two sons, Abdallah Dhiya al-Hardani and Abd al-Rahman Dhiya Zawba al-Hardani, were also reportedly aligned with ISIS and died in the same raid. Centcom released a statement saying that all three individuals posed a direct threat to American and allied forces operating in the region, as well as to the new Syrian government that has taken over from the Assad regime. The raid was described as a successful and precise strike, carried out with careful planning to prevent civilian harm.
At the location of the raid, six civilians—three women and three children—were found unharmed. U.S. military sources stressed that minimizing civilian impact was a key component of the mission planning process.
No U.S. Forces Injured During Raid
A U.S. defense official, speaking anonymously to the press, confirmed that no American personnel sustained injuries during the mission. This source emphasized the professionalism and effectiveness of the team involved in executing the raid. Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of Centcom, reiterated the U.S. military’s commitment to pursuing ISIS militants wherever they may be. He stated that operatives affiliated with the Islamic State posed ongoing risks across the region and that the U.S. and its allies remain focused on dismantling the group’s operational capabilities. “ISIS terrorists are not safe where they sleep, where they operate, and where they hide,” Kurilla said. He added that U.S. forces, in partnership with regional allies, are determined to prevent any ISIS resurgence.
Strategic and Political Context Behind Operation
The raid comes amid significant political changes in U.S.-Syrian relations. In late June, President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting most American sanctions on Syria, effectively ending decades of economic restrictions on the country. This shift comes after the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar Assad and the rise of a new government in Damascus. Trump had previously announced the rollback of sanctions during a speech delivered in Saudi Arabia on May 13.
During that address, the president criticized U.S. foreign policy decisions made by previous administrations. He specifically condemned interventionist strategies, arguing they led to more destruction than progress in conflict zones worldwide.
Residents Left Unharmed in Precise Strike
While the presence of women and children at the raid site had raised early concerns, U.S. officials confirmed that they were not injured, further underlining the careful execution of the operation. This detail has been highlighted as an example of how U.S. forces prioritize the prevention of collateral damage in conflict zones. Military analysts note that operations like this serve dual purposes: disrupting terrorist networks and supporting the stability of governments that oppose extremist groups. The neutralization of al-Hardani and his sons is seen as a tactical win for these broader goals.
Centcom continues to stress the importance of sustained pressure on ISIS networks, even as the group’s territory and influence have waned in recent years. U.S. strategy in the region relies heavily on agility and intelligence-driven missions to prevent any resurgence.
U.S. Reaffirms Anti-ISIS Commitment
Gen. Kurilla affirmed that the United States will not back down from confronting the Islamic State. He emphasized that the U.S. military remains ready and willing to act wherever threats to regional stability and American interests are identified. Centcom’s statement asserted that ISIS operatives worldwide should “expect to be found” regardless of their location. It also reaffirmed the American position that partnerships with local governments and coalition forces are crucial to long-term counterterrorism success.
While the White House did not issue a separate statement on the raid, Friday’s mission adds weight to Trump’s broader foreign policy objective of reframing U.S. military engagement overseas around targeted actions rather than large-scale deployments.
Strategic Success Marks Shift in Policy
Analysts suggest that this raid reflects a broader shift toward surgical operations over prolonged ground involvement. Recent changes in U.S. policy toward Syria may enable further cooperation between American forces and local governments in controlling unrest and extremism. The elimination of a senior ISIS figure like al-Hardani could potentially disrupt communication lines and planning efforts within the fractured terror organization. Security experts argue that these tactical victories can accumulate to degrade ISIS’s operational capacity significantly.
It remains to be seen how ISIS will respond to the loss of one of its senior commanders. However, U.S. military leaders maintain that continued vigilance and international coordination are key to keeping the group from gaining momentum again.
