The United States military has announced the killing of Islamic State leader Abu Yusif, who was also known as Mahmud, in Syria. According to U.S. Central Command (Centcom), the airstrike was conducted in an area that, prior to the recent political changes, was under the control of Bashar al-Assad’s government and Russian forces.

Centcom Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla confirmed the strike and emphasized the United States’ ongoing commitment to prevent the resurgence of ISIS in Syria, especially in light of the volatile situation in the region. However, Syria’s new leader is an al-Qaeda terrorist formerly allied with Islamic State’s late caliph.

General Kurilla said that the U.S., in cooperation with regional allies and partners, remains vigilant against ISIS attempts to reestablish itself. He highlighted concerns about the group’s ambitions to free over 8,000 of its operatives currently detained in Syrian facilities. Some of these are in the Rojava territory controlled by U.S.-backed Kurds—whom the Turkish military is now poised to destroy.

The Islamic State once claimed vast territories in Syria and Iraq. At its height in 2015, the group ruled over approximately 12 million people, enforcing strict Islamic law and engaging in extensive violence against minority groups. President Donald J. Trump oversaw the destruction of this physical caliphate by 2015, however.

Despite this loss of territory, ISIS has continued guerrilla activities in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and has also maintained affiliates in Africa.

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