A coalition air strike in Iraq likely has killed Abu Dua, a key Al Qaeda member who helped smuggle foreign fighters into the country, said US Central Command leaders. Intelligence reports indicate he was hiding in a terrorist safe house in the town of Ushsh when warplanes executed a precision strike that effectively destroyed the building. The terrorist was known for helping Syrian and Saudi fighters enter Iraq to join al Qaeda activities in the Qaim area. Abu Duad’s body has not been recovered yet.
House lawmakers are encouraging the Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command to work together as each pursues long-range, long-endurance reconnaissance drones. Both entities are investing in unmanned assets that can slip into highly defended areas, loiter over a particularly valuable target for days at a time, and traverse multiple…