US Special Forces have killed ISIS’ No. 2 leader, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced on Friday. Abd al-Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli, who served as the group’s finance minister, was a “well-known terrorist” who helped plot terrorist attacks outside of Iraq and Syria, Carter told reporters during a Pentagon briefing. He did not say where the terrorist leader was killed, but noted that the coalition is “systematically eliminating ISIL’s cabinet.” A March 4 US airstrike in Syria killed Abu Umar al-Shishani, who held multiple top military positions within the terrorist organization, including minister of war, according to a March 8 Pentagon release. “Striking leadership is necessary, but as you know, it’s far from sufficient because leaders can be replaced,” Carter said on Friday. “However, these leaders have been around for a long time. They are senior, they are experienced, so eliminating them is an important objective and achieves important results.” Both Carter and Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, agreed the coalition is “gathering momentum” in the fight against ISIS, but Dunford cautioned the fight is far from over. “There is still a lot to be done … by no means are we about to break the backs of ISIL,” said Dunford during the same press conference.
OA-1K Skyraider Crashes in Oklahoma, Crew Uninjured
Oct. 24, 2025
An Air Force OA-1K Skyraider II crashed near Oklahoma City on Oct. 23, with a civilian contractor and Active-duty Airman escaping uninjured. The OA-1K was on a training mission when the crash occurred, less than 10 miles from the base.
