Full Breakdown
U.S. Airstrike Kills Senior ISIS Leader Ali Husayn al-Ulaywi in Northwest Syria
6/25/2026, 7:32:31 AM
Airstrike Eliminates Senior ISIS Figure in Northwest Syria
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out a precision airstrike on June 19, 2026, in northwest Syria near the village of Deir Hassan, close to the Turkish border. The strike killed senior Islamic State operative Ali Husayn al-Ulaywi (also reported as Ali Husayn al-‘Ulaywi and Ali Husain al Ulaiwi). CENTCOM said the operation was “part of ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt and eliminate terrorists seeking to attack Americans abroad or the U.S. homeland.”
Background, Key Figures & Groups
Islamic State lost its last territorial foothold in Syria in 2019 but retained sleeper cells that have resumed attacks. In February 2026 the group announced a new phase targeting the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose administration succeeded the Assad regime after its 2024 collapse. The United States has led the multinational Operation Inherent Resolve coalition since 2014; Admiral Brad Cooper commands CENTCOM. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also targets ISIS financing.
Timeline & Statistics
- 2019 – ISIS loses final Syrian stronghold.
- Dec 2024 – Fall of the Assad family; al-Sharaa assumes power.
- Feb 2026 – ISIS declares new operational phase; U.S. strikes kill >= 50 ISIS members.
- Jun 19 2026 – Airstrike kills al-Ulaywi.
- Jun 20 2026 – ISIS claims attack near Manbij, killing two Syrian soldiers.
- Apr 2026 – U.S. closes its last major Syrian base.
At its peak ISIS controlled roughly one-third of Syria; 150 detainees escaped custody during the 2026 security transition, and up to 20,000 residents left the al-Hol camp without monitoring.
Why It Matters
The strike underscores U.S. resolve to counter ISIS despite a full military drawdown from Syria. Eliminating a senior operative aims to disrupt remaining command structures and deter further attacks on al-Sharaa’s government. Simultaneously, OFAC’s June 22 designations of three individuals, six entities and the crypto-exchange Bitcoin Xchange seek to choke ISIS’s emerging cryptocurrency funding streams.
Official Statements & Responses
CENTCOM’s public release confirmed the June 19 strike and described al-Ulaywi’s death as a “precision strike” targeting a senior ISIS leader. Admiral Cooper said the United States remains “committed to rooting out remaining remnants of ISIS to ensure its enduring defeat” and will “continue to defend the U.S. homeland, our service members, and allies and partners across the region.” OFAC announced sanctions against entities facilitating ISIS financial transactions, highlighting Bitcoin Xchange’s role in moving roughly $10 million of illicit funds.
On-the-Ground Reports & Gaps
Syrian activists initially reported a motorcycle strike near Deir Hassan that killed one person, but could not identify the target. No independent verification of al-Ulaywi’s death has been released, and the multiple spellings of his name create minor reporting inconsistencies. Details on the specific network he led remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “CENTCOM and our partners remain committed to rooting out remaining remnants of ISIS to ensure its enduring defeat.” — Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander
- “We will continue to defend the U.S. homeland, our service members, and allies and partners across the region.” — Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander
- “conducted an airstrike in northwest Syria, June 19, that resulted in the death of a senior ISIS leader,” — CENTCOM statement
- “part of ongoing [US] efforts to disrupt and eliminate terrorists seeking to attack Americans abroad or the [US] homeland,” — CENTCOM statement
What’s Next
U.S. officials say precision operations against ISIS remnants will persist, with continued intelligence sharing with Syrian partners. OFAC is expected to expand sanctions on additional crypto-related facilitators. Monitoring of ISIS attacks on al-Sharaa’s forces will inform future coalition responses, while the U.S. evaluates the strategic impact of its reduced footprint in Syria.
