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.
A top Pentagon tech official called on industry this week to help the military develop “lighter, more efficient” directed energy weapons designed to go on aircraft and conduct special operations missions or down drones—areas where the Air Force’s directed energy efforts have been quiet as of late.