BREAKING: US Centcom says Coalition member killed in operation targeting ISIS in Iraq

A member of the United States' partnered forces was killed as the US and its allies were targeting ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Two others were injured.

According to US Central Command, "From December 30 to January 6, CENTCOM and Iraqi forces conducted multiple strikes in the Hamrin mountains of Iraq, targeting known ISIS locations. The operations served to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians in the region, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond."

"During the operations, ISIS fighters engaged Coalition forces on several occasions, resulting in the employment of Coalition air strikes, using F-16s, F-15s, and A-10s. The A-10s tasked to support ground forces in the area were successful in eliminating the ISIS fighters within a cave. One Coalition member was killed and two were wounded from two different nations. There were no injuries to U.S. personnel or damage to U.S. equipment," the statement added.

Central Command Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said of the operation, “Partnered operations like these are critical to maintaining pressure on ISIS and preventing the terrorist group from taking advantage of the rapidly changing security environment in the region. The enduring defeat of ISIS is a global effort that relies on our Coalition, allies, and partners. U.S. Central Command remains committed to aggressively pursuing these terrorists that threaten the region, our allies, and our citizens."

The Assad regime in Syria recently fell to rebel forces led by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which was once involved with Al Queda as well as ISIS. With the Assad regime falling the US military may be taking steps to see to it that ISIS does not take advantage of the fallen regime and take control of the region.