It appears that among those killed during a targeted operation by U.S. special forces on a house in Idlib, Syria, early Thursday, three women may have been the wives of Abdullah Qardash, the leader of ISIS, according to sources for Al Arabiya/Al Hadath. The sources further explained that the casualties in the U.S. operation resulted from one individual detonating himself inside the targeted house. Additionally, it was noted that the DNA test results to confirm Qardash’s death in the operation in Syria will appear within hours.
A source from the opposition fighters told Reuters, on the condition of anonymity, that the leader suspected to be targeted was with his family at the time of the raid. Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces stated that the international coalition operation in Idlib targeted some of the most dangerous international terrorists.
**Thirteen Killed**
Residents reported that helicopters landed, and heavy gunfire and explosions were heard during the raid that began around midnight in the town of Atmeh near the Turkish border. Additionally, some residents indicated that at least 12 people were killed in the raid; however, the Syrian Civil Defense stated that at least 13 people, including six children, were killed. Witnesses also clarified that the raid ended with the helicopters believed to have left the area, though unidentified reconnaissance planes continued to hover in the vicinity.
**'Largest of Its Kind'**
It is noteworthy that among the active extremist groups in northwest Syria is the "Guardians of Religion" group affiliated with Al-Qaeda, which includes foreign fighters among its leaders. Charles Lister, a fellow at the Middle East Institute based in Washington, explained that U.S. forces have used drones to target this group and other militants in the area over the years. However, today's operation seems to be the largest of its kind conducted by U.S. forces in northwest Syria since the killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, in a raid by U.S. special forces in 2019. ISIS fighters have re-emerged as a source of threat, supported by weakened central control in many regions, as mentioned by dozens of security officials, local leaders, and residents in northern Iraq.
