US: A Senior ISIS Commander Killed in Airstrike in Iraq

The US Department of Defense, Pentagon, announced on Monday, May 8, that a senior commander of the Islamic State group, ISIS, was killed in an airstrike in Iraq. According to Reuters, Peter Cook, Pentagon spokesperson, stated that 'Abu Wahib', who was a commander of ISIS in Anbar province, was killed in an airstrike targeting his vehicle near the city of Rutba. He also mentioned that the airstrike occurred three days earlier on May 5, and added that three other members of ISIS were also killed in the vehicle carrying Abu Wahib. Abu Wahib, who was a senior commander of the Islamic State in Iraq, was also known as 'Shakir Wahib'. The Islamic State seized large parts of Anbar province in 2014, but over the past year, Iraqi government forces have regained parts of these areas, including the cities of Ramadi and Hit in the province. The Pentagon spokesperson said on Monday that the death of this senior ISIS commander would reduce the group's ability to carry out operations in the western provinces of Iraq. Reuters reported on Monday that at least 16 people were killed and over 50 injured in a car explosion in the city of Baqubah. Baqubah is located in the central province of Diyala, about 50 kilometers northeast of Baghdad, and is predominantly inhabited by Sunni residents.