US and Iraqi military forces conducted a raid in western Iraq that targeted ISIS leaders and killed 15 ISIS militants, US Central Command said in a statement.
Seven U.S. military service members who took part in the early Thursday morning raid were injured or sustained injuries in the larger operation, according to a defense official who said all service members were in stable condition.
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces and Iraqi security forces conducted a cooperative raid in western Iraq in the early hours of August 29, resulting in the death of 15 ISIS operatives,” said a statement from U.S. Central Command late on Friday.
The Pentagon Seal in the Pentagon Briefing Room in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 1, 2021.
Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images, FILE
“This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and impair ISIS’s ability to plan, organize, and execute attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond,” it said.
“The ISIS element was armed with numerous weapons, grenades and explosive ‘suicide belts,'” according to the statement. “There are no signs of civilian casualties.”
Seven US personnel were injured in the overall operation, according to two defense officials.
“During the operation, five US personnel were injured. One of the injured was evacuated for further treatment,” a defense official told ABC News.
“Two additional US personnel were injured by falls during the operation, one of whom was also evacuated from theater for follow-up. All personnel are in stable condition,” the official said.
Joint military raids in Iraq typically involve special operations forces, although the CENTCOM statement did not specify which forces were used in the operation.
There are still 2,500 US troops in Iraq on a train and advise mission to assist Iraqi military forces against ISIS.
Earlier this year, the US and Iraq began discussions about a possible reduction in the role of the international military coalition assisting Iraq that could see a reduction in US forces.