The United States military announced on Sunday that it had conducted a successful drone strike in eastern Syria, resulting in the death of a leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) group. The strike, which took place on Friday, targeted Osama al-Muhajer, according to a statement from the US Central Command.

General Michael Kurilla, the chief of US Central Command (CENTCOM), emphasized the commitment to defeat ISIS in the region. “We have made it clear that we remain committed to the defeat of ISIS throughout the region,” he stated. General Kurilla also highlighted the continued threat posed by ISIS, not only to the region but beyond.

CENTCOM confirmed that no civilians were killed in the operation, but reports of a civilian injury are currently being assessed by coalition forces. The statement also revealed that the drones involved in the attack had been harassed by Russian warplanes earlier in the day.

Friday’s strike was carried out by MQ-9 drones, which had been subject to harassment by Russian aircraft in a previous encounter that lasted nearly two hours, according to CENTCOM.

This recent incident follows two separate occasions in which Russian warplanes engaged with US Reaper drones. The encounters involved Russian jets dropping parachute flares and flying dangerously close, leading to evasive actions by the US drones. The US military has called on Russia to cease such reckless behavior.

The relationship between the US and Russia in the Syrian conflict has seen tensions rise before. In March, the US accused Russian jets of downing a Reaper drone valued at over $30 million. Although Russia denied responsibility, the US military released footage showing Russian planes interfering with the drone’s flight path.

Russia has been a key ally of the Syrian regime led by President Bashar al-Assad. With support from Moscow and Iran, Assad’s government has regained control over much of the territory that was lost during the early stages of the Syrian conflict. However, pockets of armed opposition remain, particularly in the rebel-held Idlib province.

The United States maintains approximately 1,000 troops in Syria as part of international efforts to combat ISIS. Despite being officially defeated in Syria in 2019, ISIS still maintains hideouts in remote desert areas and continues to carry out frequent attacks.