Livestream: President Biden Announces Killing of Islamic State Leader in Counterterrorism Operation

In a statement released on Feb. 3, President Biden announced that U.S. forces successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation that killed Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the leader of the Islamic State. Following the release of the statement, Biden delivered remarks on the U.S. special forces operation in northwest Syria. According to the New York Times, al-Qurayshi died at the beginning of the operation after detonating a bomb that killed himself and members of his family. Thirteen Syrian civilians were killed during the operation. The mission was the largest U.S. raid in Syria since the 2019 operation that killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. 

You can watch Biden’s remarks and read the statement below:

Statement by President Joe Biden

Last night at my direction, U.S. military forces in the northwest Syria successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation to protect the American people and our Allies, and make the world a safer place. Thanks to the skill and bravery of our Armed Forces, we have taken off the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi—the leader of ISIS. All Americans have returned safely from the operation. I will deliver remarks to the American people later this morning. May God protect our troops.