PENTAGON —
The Pentagon says it has targeted a "prominent al-Qaida leader" in an airstrike in Syria.
Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the strike Monday targeted a "core al-Qaida" member. He would not provide further specifics until the Defense Department confirms whether the strike was successful. He said officials are assessing the results of the operation.
Davis added, “Each time we remove a significant al-Qaida leader, we disrupt and degrade their command and control and halt their expansion.”
Media reports in the region say the target was Abu al Faraj al-Masri. The reports, which have not been confirmed by VOA, say he was targeted by a drone strike Monday in Syria's Idlib province.
