US Captures ISIS Leader Who Aided Escapees From Syrian Detention Facility

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the capture of Khaled Ahmed al-Dandal, an ISIS leader who played a key role in assisting escaped ISIS fighters from detention facilities in Syria, CNN reports.

Al-Dandal was apprehended early Sunday morning in a joint operation with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). CENTCOM stated that al-Dandal was actively involved in assisting ISIS fighters who had escaped from detention facilities, including those who recently fled the Raqqa detention facility.

Last week, five ISIS detainees escaped from the Raqqa facility. While the SDF managed to recapture two of the escapees, three remain at large.

The capture of al-Dandal comes amidst heightened security concerns surrounding the detention facilities in Syria, which house over 9,000 ISIS detainees. The US is working to repatriate as many detainees as possible, but the process has been slow and complex. The large number of detainees has made these facilities targets for ISIS attacks aimed at freeing imprisoned militants.

“If a large number of these ISIS fighters escaped, it would pose an extreme danger to the region and beyond,” said Gen. Erik Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command. “We will continue to work with the international community to repatriate these ISIS fighters to their countries of origin for final adjudication.”

The capture of al-Dandal follows a separate US-led raid against ISIS in Iraq, where seven US service members were wounded. The operation, conducted with the Iraqi Security Forces, resulted in the deaths of 15 ISIS militants. The targeted raid focused on the hideouts of several ISIS leaders.

All seven injured service members are reported to be in stable condition, with one being evacuated for further medical care.