ISIS-K leaders seeking external support eliminated in northern Afghanistan

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Sean Carnes | 10th Special Operations Kandak Commandos supporting the 209th Corps’ 20th Division soundly defeated the Taliban in engagements north of Kunduz city, Kunduz province, Afghanistan, Jan. 15-20, 2018. The Commandos and Afghan soldiers removed 87 Taliban fighters from Kunduz, demolished 39 emplaced IEDs, seized four IED caches, captured more than 40 anti-vehicle mines, and destroyed nearly 250 kg of homemade explosives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Carnes)  

AFGHANISTAN

03.19.2018

Story by Capt. Scott Newman 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

Recent Afghan Special Security Forces offensive operations enabled by U.S. airstrikes eliminated 15 ISIS-K fighters in Jowzjan and Sar-e Pul provinces, Afghanistan, Mar. 16, 2018.

A U.S. airstrike killed ISIS-K Khitaba (platoon-sized) commanders Omair and Abu Samaya as they met in Sar-e Pul. Omair and Samaya replaced Khitab Aka, ISIS-K’s lead facilitator of foreign fighters, captured in Jowzjan, Jan. 28. Unable to take root in Afghanistan, ISIS-K relies on external support of fighters and equipment for survival in northern Afghanistan.

Later that night, ASSF conducted a raid on the ISIS-K headquarters in Jowzjan, eliminating 13 terrorists. The ASSF conducted the raid in an area ISIS-K believed to be a safe haven for the reception of their foreign fighters and weapons.

“The capability and capacity of the ASSF will ensure Afghanistan cannot again be used as a safe haven from which trans-regional terrorists can threaten the U.S. and international partners,” said Gen. John Nicholson, NATO Resolute Support commander.

Over the last two months, ASSF and U.S. targeting of ISIS-K resulted in the removal of more than 140 ISIS-K fighters.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2018
• Date Posted: 03.19.2018 04:45
• Story ID: 269811
• Location: AF