Islamic State figure in Afghanistan reported killed in U.S. airstrike
Afghan Muslims offer Friday prayers during the month of Ramadan on the outskirts of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province.
Afghanistan’s intelligence service says the highest-ranking leader among local militants loyal to the Islamic State group was killed in an airstrike in eastern Afghanistan.
Abdul Hassib Sediqi, spokesman for the National Directorate of Security, said Saturday that Hafeez Sayeed was one of more than 30 militants killed in a U.S. strike Friday in Nangarhar province.
Sediqi said the Afghan intelligence service provided information to U.S. forces, which carried out the strike.
Afghan government officials have claimed the presence of Islamic State group activity in at least three provinces of the country, but the existence of an active Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan has not been confirmed. The Taliban, at war with the Afghan government for nearly 14 years, has warned Islamic State to stay out of Afghanistan.
Must-read stories from the L.A. Times
Get all the day's most vital news with our Today's Headlines newsletter, sent every weekday morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
-
Former medical examiner says Floyd died from a heart problem while being restrained by officers, not because Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck.
-
Biden announces U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that drew America into its longest war.
More Coverage
-
Federal prosecutors won’t charge a police officer who shot and killed a woman during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6
-
Bernie Madoff, who came to epitomize Wall Street corruption with his epic $65-billion Ponzi scheme, has died in prison of natural causes at age 82.
