U.S.-led raid against Islamic State group in Iraq kills 15 'operatives'

A U.S. military-led raid in western Iraq killed at least 15 Islamic State militant group "operatives" who fought back with numerous weapons including grenades and explosive "suicide" belts, U.S. Central Command said late Friday.

The joint operation with Iraq's security forces took place early Thursday. Some of those killed were in the group's leadership, the command, abbreviated as CENTCOM, said in a statement. It did not detail their identities.

"This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond," CENTCOM said, referring to the militant by an acronym that reflects its activities in Iraq and Syria.

CENTCOM said there were no indications of civilian casualties during the raid.

A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said five U.S. soldiers suffered injuries during the raid and a further two were injured "from falls." None of the injuries were life-threatening.

The U.S.-Iraqi operation follows an attack in Germany by a Syrian refugee who is being investigated for suspected links to the Islamic State group. That perpetrator killed three people and injured eight more in a stabbing rampage.

Thursday's raid also comes on the heels of what authorities in Austria said was a plan to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. The alleged plot, by an Austrian citizen who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, planned to target the musician's Eras tour. It was foiled with help from intelligence provided by the CIA.

Iraq's military said in a statement that Thursday's raid in Anbar province involved airstrikes that struck Islamic State group cave hideouts in the desert followed by an "airborne operation."

It said "key" leaders were killed, without specifying who they were.

The Islamic State group grew out of the remnants of the al Qaeda militant organization in Iraq following the U.S.-led invasion to topple the government of Saddam Hussein. It then expanded into Syria amid that country's civil war.

A U.S.-led coalition of dozens of countries has largely liberated territory held by the Islamic State group in Syria and blunted its fighting capabilities. But at its height, it had a network of affiliates, branches and supporters in at least half a dozen countries and it continues to inspire extremists who are drawn to its online propaganda.

About 2,500 U.S. troops are deployed in Iraq and a further 900 in Syria in an "advise and assist" capacity. One of the roles of those troops is to ensure that the Islamic State group is not able to reconstitute itself. Another is to limit the ability of Iran-backed militias to operate in Iraq, which are linked to Tehran's security forces.

Reuters reported in March that talks between the U.S. and Iraq on ending the U.S.-led military coalition in the country may not be concluded until after U.S. presidential elections in November.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U.S. targets Islamic State group leaders in Iraq, killing 15