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.
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.