US armed forces kill Islamic State leader Abu Yusif in precision strike in Syria

US armed forces have killed so-called Islamic State (ISIS) leader Abu Yusif in a precision strike in Syria, according to US Central Command (Centcom).

He was killed by US forces in the Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria, in an airstrike which also eliminated another ISIS operative.

The strike was conducted in an area formerly controlled by the Syrian regime and Russian forces, the US said.

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General Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of Centcom, said: "As stated before, the United States – working with allies and partners in the region – will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria and reconstitute.

"ISIS has the intent to break out of detention the over 8,000 ISIS operatives currently being held in facilities in Syria.

"We will aggressively target these leaders and operatives, including those trying to conduct operations external to Syria."

US Central Command said the purprose of the airstrike was to "disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organise, and conduct attacks" against civilians and military personnel throughout the region.