The United States says a recent airstrike in northwest Syria killed a senior Islamic State (ISIS) leader. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that U.S. forces carried out a “precision strike” on June 19 in the region. Multiple outlets, citing CENTCOM’s statement, report that the strike killed Ali Husayn al-‘Ulaywi (also spelled al-Ulaywi), described as a senior ISIS figure. CENTCOM states the operation is part of ongoing U.S. efforts to disrupt and eliminate terrorists who may threaten Americans abroad or the U.S. homeland. Other reporting similarly characterizes the action as an airstrike conducted in northwestern Syria last week, with the U.S. military confirming the death of the same individual. The Middle East context provided by some sources notes that the U.S. has been involved in Syria for more than a decade, including support to local forces that fought ISIS during the period when the group controlled territory in Syria and Iraq. Those sources also note that coalition activity has drawn down as ISIS lost major ground and as U.S. and Syrian authorities have said Syria took control of major bases.