U.S. Airstrike in Syria Kills Senior al-Qaida Leader
By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2016 — As part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook today confirmed that U.S. forces conducted a precision airstrike near Sarmada in northwest Syria Nov. 18 that killed Abu Ayyub al-Masri, a senior al-Qaida leader in Syria.
Al-Masri was an Egyptian who joined al-Qaida in Afghanistan and later moved to its Syrian affiliate, Cook said during a briefing with Pentagon reporters.
“He had ties to terrorist groups operating throughout Southwest Asia, including groups responsible for attacking U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan and those plotting to attack the West,” he added, noting that al-Masri’s removal from the battlefield is another blow to al-Qaida in Syria.
http://www.defense.gov/News/Article/Article/1011549/us-airstrike-in-syria-kills-senior-al-qaida-leader
