A spokesperson for the US Army stated on Thursday, December 10, that during recent airstrikes by the US-led coalition against positions of the Islamic State (ISIS), three senior leaders, including the group's financial officer, have been killed. According to Reuters, Steve Warren, spokesperson for the coalition forces, said in a video conference from Baghdad that Abu Salah, the ISIS finance minister, was killed in late November. Warren added that Abu Salah was one of the highest-ranking and most experienced members of ISIS, with a background in al-Qaeda. He emphasized that the deaths of Abu Salah and the previous finance minister have weakened the group's financial coordination and planning capabilities. According to the Brookings Institute, Abu Salah's real name is Mowafaq Mustafa Mohammed al-Karmoush. The US Army spokesperson also mentioned that two senior members of ISIS who had executive roles were killed in the airstrikes. The US Department of Defense has assessed that ISIS had a monthly income of $47 million before October of this year. In this context, on Thursday, the Deputy Secretary of the US Treasury also stated that a large portion of ISIS's income comes from selling oil to the Syrian government. Last summer, ISIS was able to seize large areas of northwest and western Iraq. Following this success, the US-led coalition began airstrikes against the group's positions.
US: ISIS Financial Officer Killed in Airstrikes
The US-led coalition has killed three senior ISIS leaders, including their financial officer, Abu Salah, in recent airstrikes. This is significant as it may weaken ISIS's financial operations, which are crucial for its continued activities. The US Treasury has indicated that a significant portion of ISIS's income comes from oil sales to the Syrian government.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The US-led coalition conducted airstrikes that killed three senior ISIS leaders, including their finance minister, Abu Salah. This action is expected to disrupt ISIS's financial operations significantly.
- Abu Salah was a high-ranking official with a background in al-Qaeda.
- ISIS's monthly income was estimated at $47 million before October 2023.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
ISIS has been a major terrorist organization in the Middle East, known for its brutal tactics and attempts to establish a caliphate. Its financial operations, particularly through oil sales, have been crucial for its survival.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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