US Drone Strike Eliminates ISIS Leader in Syria

Three US MQ-9 Reaper drones that were "harassed" by Russian fighter jets over Syria on Friday later carried out an airstrike that killed a top Islamic State leader, Usamah al-Muhajir. The strike occurred in northwestern Syria, an area where the US has targeted terrorist leaders and where the Russian military conducts flight operations. The incident followed three days of tense encounters between US drones and Russian pilots, with the US criticizing the Russian pilots for "unsafe and unprofessional" behavior. The US military released declassified videos showing Russian jets dropping parachute flares and engaging afterburners near the drones. While there are no indications of civilian casualties, reports of a civilian injury are being assessed.