U.S.-Iraq Joint Raid Targets ISIS Militants, Resulting in 15 Deaths and Seven American Injuries

In a coordinated operation, the United States military and Iraqi forces launched a joint raid targeting suspected Islamic State group militants in Iraq’s western desert. The operation, which took place on Thursday, led to the deaths of at least 15 militants and left seven American troops injured, according to officials.

The raid occurred in the Anbar Desert, a region that has seen sporadic activity from Islamic State (ISIS) militants even after the group was largely dislodged from its self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria. Despite years of ongoing efforts to combat ISIS, the casualties from this raid are among the highest reported in recent operations against the group.

Operation Details

The U.S. military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the militants were heavily armed, possessing “numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive ‘suicide’ belts.” The goal of the operation was to disrupt and degrade ISIS’s capacity to plan and execute attacks, not just in Iraq but potentially targeting U.S. citizens and allies in the region.

“This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS’s ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond,” CENTCOM reported. They also noted that Iraqi Security Forces are continuing to investigate the locations targeted in the raid. CENTCOM emphasized that there were no civilian casualties in the operation.

An official Iraqi military statement added that the operation began with airstrikes on ISIS hideouts, followed by an airborne assault. The statement confirmed that key ISIS leaders were among those killed, though it did not provide specific names. Additionally, all the hideouts, weapons, and logistical support used by the militants were destroyed, with explosive belts safely detonated. The operation also led to the seizure of important documents, identification papers, and communication devices.

Casualties and Injuries

A U.S. defense official, speaking anonymously, disclosed that five American troops were injured during the raid, while two others sustained injuries from falls. One of the injured soldiers was transported out of the Middle East for further treatment. The official assured that all injured personnel are currently in stable condition.

Delayed Acknowledgment

The U.S. military took two days to publicly acknowledge its participation in the raid. This delay has yet to be thoroughly explained. Initially, Iraqi authorities did not mention U.S. involvement when they announced the operation, possibly due to ongoing political debates within Iraq regarding the presence of American troops in the country. Currently, there are about 2,500 U.S. troops stationed in Iraq.

Context of Ongoing Conflict

Iraq has faced challenges in balancing its relations with both the United States and neighboring Iran, especially since the U.S. invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. The recent Israel-Hamas conflict has further complicated this dynamic, with Iranian-backed Iraqi militias targeting U.S. forces, prompting American airstrikes in response.

At its peak, ISIS controlled a vast territory spanning parts of Iraq and Syria, enforcing an extreme interpretation of Islam and committing atrocities against religious minorities and Muslims it deemed apostates. A U.S.-led coalition of over 80 countries ultimately dismantled ISIS’s territorial control in Iraq by 2017 and in Syria by 2019. However, the group has continued to operate in remote areas like the Anbar Desert while also inspiring attacks globally, including a recent foiled plot targeting Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna. In Afghanistan, ISIS remains active, carrying out deadly attacks.

As the U.S. and Iraq continue their efforts to eradicate ISIS remnants, this latest operation underscores the ongoing threat the group poses, not only in the Middle East but worldwide.