US conducts airstrike in Syria, kills Islamic State group leader

The US military carried out airstrikes in northeastern Syria on Thursday, killing an Islamic State leader and another militant, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).

The strike targeted an area once controlled by the ousted Syrian government.

CENTCOM stated that the operation was part of an ongoing effort to prevent IS insurgents from exploiting the instability in Syria, including any attempts to free over 8,000 IS prisoners held by Kurdish allies of the US.

The leader killed was identified as Abu Yousef, also known as Mahmud.