US Special Forces Launch Night Raid in Northwestern Syria

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Thursday U.S. special forces carried out a “successful” counterterrorism mission in northwestern Syria.

A statement from Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby did not give any specifics about the mission or its target, only saying that there were no U.S. casualties and that the military would later provide more information.

Residents told reporters the roughly two-hour operation included helicopters, gunfire and explosions, and that several civilians were killed.

The nighttime raid took place in Idlib province, the last rebel-held part of Syria, near the border with Turkey. The area is also home to several top operatives from al-Qaida and other militant groups.

The U.S. military has previously targeted high-ranking al-Qaida leaders in the region, often relying on airstrikes from armed drones.

In October 2019, U.S. special forces carried out a raid in Idlib that killed former Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

source: voanews.com