Senior al Qaeda leader Abdul Hamid al Matar killed in US airstrike
A senior member of al-Qaeda leader has been killed in US military airstrike in northwest Syria. According to a statement by Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Major John Rigsbee, the al-Qaeda leader was identified as Abdul Hamid al-Matar. Meanwhile, there were no reports of civilian casualties as a result of the strike, which was conducted using an MQ-9 aircraft, Rigsbee said.
"A US airstrike today in northwest Syria killed senior al-Qaeda leader Abdul Hamid al-Matar. We have no indications of civilian casualties as a result of the strike, which was conducted using an MQ-9 aircraft," Rigsbee said.
Al-Qaeda continues to present a threat to America and our allies, according to the statement.
"Al-Qaeda uses Syria as a safe haven to rebuild, coordinate with external affiliates, and plan external operations. Al-Qaeda also uses Syria as a base for threats reaching into Syria, Iraq and beyond. The removal of this al-Qaeda senior leader will disrupt the terrorist organization's ability to further plot and carry out global attacks threatening U.S. citizens, our partners, and innocent civilians," the statement read.
The US will continue to target members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations who intend to harm the US homeland, it added.
(With inputs from ANI)
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