A member of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces removes an Islamic State flag in the city of Tabqa, in Syria. (Credit: Delil Souleiman/AFP)
The United States carried out a military operation that killed a senior Islamic State leader in Syria on Monday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement early on Tuesday.
Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri was responsible for planning ISIS attacks in Europe and developed the leadership structure for ISIS, the statement said.
Last week, the Tass news agency said Russia had protested to the American-led coalition against the Islamic State militant group about "provocative actions" by US armed forces in Syria.
No civilians were killed or injured in this strike, CENTCOM said, and added that the group "continues to represent a threat to the region and beyond."