Isis minister of information killed in US-led coalition strike, Pentagon says
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| A still from an Isis video. Dr Wa’il oversaw the group's production of videos showing torture and executions AP |
A US-led coalition air strike in Syria has killed the Isis minister of information, the Pentagon confirmed.
Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said the attack took place near Raqqa, and killed Wa-il Adil Hasan Salman al-Fayad, also known as Dr Wa’il.
In a statement the Pentagon said Wa’il was one of the Islamist militant group’s “most senior leaders”.
The statement said: “He operated as the minister for information for the terror organisation and was a prominent member of its Senior Shura Council [Isis’s leadership group].”
“Wa’il oversaw Isil’s production of terrorist propaganda videos showing torture and executions.
“The removal of ISIL's senior leaders degrades its ability to retain territory, and its ability to plan, finance, and direct attacks inside and outside of the region. We will continue to work with our coalition partners to build momentum in the campaign to deal ISIL a lasting defeat.”
US officials said Wa’il was killed in strikes which were carried out by drones targeting his home in Raqqa.
Wa’il was a close associate of Isis spokesmanAbu Muhammad al-Adni, who was the group’s second most senior member and was also killed by US-led airstrikes on 30 August.
Al-Adni was also responsible for the plotting of the organisation’s overseas terrorist attacks, including those in Paris last November and the airport attacks in Brussels and Ankara.
The US air campaign has continued targeting high-profile members of the terrorist group, recently killing Chechen commander Abu Omar al-Shishani.
The loss of several senior leaders has been described as “a major blow” to the group whose extensive use of social media and propaganda videos have been used as effective recruitment tools.
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