Who Was Hamza al-Homsi? ISIS leader killed and 4 US troops wounded in helicopter raid in northeastern Syria

Hamza al-Homsi was one of the key leaders of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). According to the US military, a helicopter raid in Syria on Thursday night killed a senior ISIS leader leaving four US soldiers wounded.

An “explosion” caused injuries to US troops and a working dog during the raid, according to a statement from US Central Command. Hamza al-Homsi, a senior leader of ISIS, was killed in the raid.

CNN was informed by officials that the explosion that killed al-Homsi and injured US soldiers occurred while US forces were “close to” him. According to two officials, it is currently unclear whether the explosion was the result of a suicide vest, a booby trap, or something else.

Another military official who is familiar with the operation claims that the working dog and three of the service members are stable. The official stated that the fourth service member sustained minor injuries and resumed duty.

In an Iraqi hospital, three of the troops and the dog are currently receiving treatment. According to the two officials, the US service members might be taken to the military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, for further treatment.

According to CENTCOM, the US and Syrian Democratic Forces carried out the joint raid. According to the two officials, the raid resulted in no injuries to SDF troops.