U.S. Special Operations forces went into Eastern Syria Friday to find and capture Abu Sayyaf, a senior ISIS commander. Sayyaf was killed in the operation after he fought capture. None of the U.S. personnel involved were injured.
The White House said that the forces captured Sayyaf’s wife, Umm Sayyaf and she is being held in Iraq. The operatives also found a young Yazidi woman who may have been held as a slave for the couple.
According to the Obama Administration, Sayyaf held an important position in the extremist group known as the Islamic State, overseeing their oil and gas operations and was involved in military planning. The Administration also believes that Umm Sayyaf is an ISIS member and involved in human trafficking.
Sources told CNN that around 12 ISIS fighters were killed during the operation.
President Barack Obama approved of the operation only after his national security team made an unanimous recommendation that it would be successful based on the available intelligence.
ISIS, also known as ISIL, currently controls regions in western Iraq and eastern Syria.