Iraq Confirms Killing Senior ISIS Leader Abdul Rahman al-Halabi Syria

Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service, in cooperation with the U.S.-led international coalition, conducted an airstrike in Syria that killed Omar Abdel Qader Bassam, alias Abdul Rahman al-Halabi, a senior Islamic State leader responsible for external operations and security. Al-Halabi was implicated in orchestrating attacks including the 2013 bombing of the Iranian embassy in Lebanon and planning additional plots in Europe and the United States, which were thwarted by intelligence agencies. This operation represents a significant strategic loss for ISIS, following the elimination of more than six high-ranking ISIS commanders in recent weeks. Despite ISIS's territorial defeat by 2019, its remnants remain active, particularly in the Syrian-Iraqi border deserts, with estimates of up to 2,000 militants still operating. The killing reflects intensified Iraqi-Syrian security cooperation and ongoing U.S.-led efforts to prevent ISIS's resurgence, especially after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Additionally, Iraqi intelligence helped foil an assassination plot against Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, highlighting regional efforts against extremist threats.