Islamic State: Afghan leader killed in raid
Abdul Hasib among dozens of militants killed during US-Afghan special forces strike in Nangarhar province

The leader of Islamic State in Afghanistan was killed during a raid by US and Afghan special forces, officials confirmed.
Abdul Hasib, who was responsible for ordering a string of deadly attacks in the country, died in the Nangarhar province on 27 April.
General John Nicholson, the top US commander in Afghanistan, said: "This successful joint operation is another important step in our relentless campaign to defeat [IS] in 2017."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At least 35 militants and several high-ranking commanders were killed in the raid, which involved 50 US Army Rangers and 40 Afghan troops. Two rangers also died, possibly as a result of friendly fire, says US Central Command.
"Within a few minutes of landing, our combined force came under intense fire from multiple directions and well-prepared fighting positions," said a joint US-Afghan army statement. "Nevertheless, our forces successfully closed on the enemy."
Hasib, who has led the group since his predecessor Hafiz Khan was killed by a US drone strike last year, is believed to have ordered the deadly attack on a Kabul military hospital in March. IS fighters disguised as doctors stormed the building, killing dozens of medical staff and patients.
The group, sometimes referred to as Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), has been active since 2015, fighting both the Taliban as well as Afghan and US forces, Reuters reports.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
"It is believed to maintain links with the main IS movement in Iraq and Syria but has considerable operational independence," the agency adds. "Defeating the group remains one of the top US priorities in Afghanistan."
The raid came weeks after the US military dropped its most powerful conventional bomb in its arsenal on an IS cave complex in Nangarhar. At least 94 fighters, including four commanders, were killed.
-
Trump reignites Jan. 6 furor by awarding military honors to killed rioter
IN THE SPOTLIGHT With military funeral honors for Ashli Babbitt, the president makes good on campaign promises designed to animate his political base while relitigating history
-
'Is it OK to be happy when the world is falling apart?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Will online age checks doom internet freedom?
Today's Big Question Or do they protect children from harm?
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Kabul braces for a waterless future
THE EXPLAINER A confluence of manmade and environmental factors makes the Afghan city the first modern capital to risk running out of groundwater
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests