Islamic State leader killed during US raid in Syria, Joe Biden confirms

The leader of the so-called Islamic State group was killed during an overnight raid by US forces in Syria's north-western Idlib province, President Joe Biden said.

The raid targeted Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, who took over as head of the militant group on 31 October 2019, just days after leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was also killed during a US raid in Syria.

President Biden released the following statement: "Last night at my direction, US military forces in northwest Syria successfully undertook a counterterrorism operation to protect the American people and our Allies, and make the world a safer place.

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"Thanks to the skill and bravery of our Armed Forces, we have taken off the battlefield Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi – the leader of ISIS.

"All Americans have returned safely from the operation. I will deliver remarks to the American people later this morning. May God protect our troops."

Mr Biden said al-Qurayshi died as al-Baghdadi did, by detonating a bomb that killed himself and members of his family, including women and children,  as US forces approached.

The target was also known as Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla.

IS have recently been trying for a resurgence, with a series of attacks in the region, including a 10-day assault late last month to seize a prison.

The UK is involved in a global effort to combat IS, with the RAF carrying out strikes against the group in Iraq and Syria.