By Al-Fassel | 2025-06-26

US forces killed an "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) official in a precision airstrike in northwest Syria on June 10, demonstrating their commitment to actively and aggressively target terrorists around the globe.

The "Syria-based ISIS official was involved in planning external operations threatening US citizens, our partners and civilians," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a June 12 statement, identifying him as Rakhim Boev.

"This airstrike is part of CENTCOM's ongoing commitment, alongside regional partners, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against US forces and our allies," it said.

The Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets) on June 10 reported that a strike had targeted a car carrying four passengers in Atmeh, Idlib province.

"One person was killed and four others were wounded," the group said on X.

Boev was likely killed in this strike, per The Long War Journal.

An open source photograph posted with the CENTCOM statement on X shows a destroyed KIA vehicle. The same vehicle is shown in the White Helmets’ post.

Continued pressure on ISIS

US troops are in Syria as part of the international coalition to defeat ISIS, officially known as Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.

Partnering closely with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), they have kept up pressure on remnants of ISIS and on other extremist groups.

US forces have provided logistical support, military training and taken part in joint counterterrorism operations, Asayesh (Kurdish internal security forces) official Adnan Azadi told Al-Fassel in May.

"We've arrested dozens of ISIS elements, including important leaders who were attempting to rebuild their networks through threats and incentives," he said.

US and SDF forces on May 16 arrested an ISIS official in eastern Deir Ezzor.

The SDF conducted a "Defeat ISIS" operation near Deir Ezzor city on May 21 and 22 with US military support, resulting in the capture of an ISIS operative, CENTCOM said June 6.

"Operations like these underscore the commitment of USCENTCOM, along with our allies and partners, to the enduring defeat of ISIS in the region," CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla said following the operation.