The Islamic State militant group has declared a new phase of operations in Syria ​against the government of President Ahmed ​al-Sharaa, carrying out a spate of attacks since February.A fighter with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard during a meeting with the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State group in Deir Hafer, Syria, on Jan. 16.Baderkhan Ahmad / APJune 24, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT / Source: ReutersBy ReutersThe U.S. military conducted an airstrike ​in northwestern Syria last week that ‌killed a senior ISIS leader, U.S. Central Command said Wednesday.The strike, carried out ​Friday, was part “of ongoing U.S. ​efforts to disrupt and eliminate terrorists seeking ⁠to attack Americans abroad or the ​U.S. homeland” and killed Ali Husayn al-Ulaywi, ​it said in a statement on X.The Islamic State militant group has declared a new phase of operations in Syria ​against the government of President Ahmed ​al-Sharaa, carrying out a spate of attacks since February. ‌Last ⁠year, Sharaa’s government joined the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State.On Saturday, the militant group claimed responsibility for an attack near ​the city ​of Manbij ⁠in Syria’s northeastern Aleppo province.ISIS controlled around a quarter ​or more of Syria at the ​peak ⁠of its power during the Syrian civil war a decade ago, before being ⁠driven ​out of the territory by ​a U.S.-led coalition and other foes.