Special operation in Syria: successes and victims

Kremlin relations

On 3 February, the White House published a written statement by United States President Joe Biden. It tells that during an operation conducted by the United States Armed Forces in the Atmeh village, close to the border with Turkey, was destroyed the leader of the banned in Russia terrorist organization “Islamic State”. The President of the United States has declared that there have been no casualties.

Source: EPA-EFE/Andrew Harrer/POOL/TASS

According to Biden, the objectives of the counter-terrorism operation were to protect American citizens and US allies and “strengthen security in the world”. The document states that Abu Ibrahim Al-Hashimi Al-Qureishi, the head of IS, was liquidated by American soldiers. According to France-Presse Agency, the leader of the organization, together with his family, were killed by a bomb.

A Syrian National Army (SNA) spokesman shared with RIA Novosti journalists the number of casualties resulting from the operation in Idlib. He said that some of the victims had died as a result of a missile attack. Of the 13 deaths, including six children, four women and three men, 11 were members of the family of the head of the IS. The presence of the remaining men and women in the combat zone is believed to be an accident. 

Source: U.S. Army / Sgt. Matthew Crane/RIA News

During the briefing, the United States Administration blamed the militia for the deaths of children. The United States authorities are unable to determine exactly how many people were in the premises where Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qureishi carried out the suicide bombing. All that is known is that “eight children were safely removed”. It was noted that the operation was designed to meet Joe Biden’s security requirements. The layout of the house of the head of IS was thoroughly examined by specialists.