U.S. Coalition carries out airstrike near Iraqi-Syrian borders, arrests prominent IS leader

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The U.S.-led Coalition has carried out an airstrike against the border region with Iraq in Syria’s southern Hasaka in an attempt to arrest Islamic State’s supreme leader, according to Syrian local sources.

The airstrike, according to Syrian media channels, was carried out early on Thursday against the border strip with Iraq to arrest abu Bakr al-Baghad. Heavy shooting occurred in the region.

The U.S. Coalition troops managed to arrest a prominent IS leader, the sources said without confirming if the troops arrested Baghdadi or if the arrested militant managed to run away.

Earlier this month, Iraqi security said Baghdadi is likely to be hiding in Syrian region near borders with Iraq.

The Iraqi-Syrian borders are under the control of joint troops of military and border guards.

Islamic State continues to launch sporadic attacks across Iraq against troops. Security reports indicate that the militant group still poses threat against stability in the country.

Thousands of IS militants as well as Iraqi civilians were killed since the government campaign, backed by paramilitary troops and the coalition was launched in October 2016 to fight the militant group, which declared a self-styled “caliphate” from Mosul in June 2014.