Centcom wrote that al-Shammri was known to facilitate the smuggling of weapons and fighters in support of ISIS actions. Furthermore, it is said that one of his comrades was injured in the attack, and two more were arrested.

No US troops or civilians were killed or injured in the action, according to Centcom.

– Centcom is committed to our allies and partners in ensuring the continued defeat of IS, said Colonel and Centcom spokesman Joe Buccino.

First attack on government-controlled territory

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) exile group confirmed the attack on Thursday. According to SOHR, a Syrian and an Iraqi were arrested in the operation.

The village where the action took place, Muluk Saray, lies 17 kilometers south of the Kurdish-held town of Qamishli and is controlled by pro-regime militia groups, according to SOHR. According to the observer group, this is the first time US forces have carried out such an operation in government-held areas of Syria since the civil war broke out in 2011.

Second hand speaker

One resident, who was not named for security reasons, told AFP that three American helicopters were taking part in the action. Syrian TV has previously reported the same.

American troops then entered a house, where they killed one and arrested another, residents said.

– They used loudspeakers and asked us to stay inside, said residents.

Lost territory

The US is leading a military coalition fighting ISIS in Syria.

After the jihadist group lost what was left of the territory it controlled in March 2019, what remained has largely retreated to hideouts in the Syrian desert.

From these hideouts, they have launched surprise attacks against Kurdish-led and Syrian government forces, while continuing to carry out attacks in Iraq.