U.S. Raid Mistakenly Kills Intelligence Operative in Syria

A recent U.S. military operation in Syria intended to capture an Islamic State (IS) official mistakenly resulted in the death of an undercover intelligence operative, according to family members and Syrian officials. The incident occurred on October 19, 2023, in the town of Dumayr, located east of Damascus. Khaled al-Masoud, who had spent years gathering intelligence on IS, was killed during the raid.

Al-Masoud had been working with the Syrian interim government led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, who established his authority following the fall of former President Bashar Assad. Family sources indicate that al-Masoud was involved in intelligence efforts against IS, having previously been affiliated with al-Sharaa’s insurgent group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, in northwestern Syria.

The raid highlights the intricate political and security landscape as the United States collaborates with al-Sharaa’s interim government in the ongoing fight against IS remnants. Despite the operation’s fatal outcome, both U.S. and Syrian officials have refrained from commenting, likely to avoid straining diplomatic relations.

Wassim Nasr, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, remarked that al-Masoud’s death represents a significant setback in the battle against IS. He noted that the operative had been actively gathering intelligence on IS in the Badiya region, an area where the group continues to maintain a presence. The raid’s failure reflects a lack of coordination between coalition forces and the Syrian government, according to Nasr.

Details of the Raid

The raid commenced around 3 a.m. local time, with residents reporting the presence of heavy vehicles and aircraft. Eyewitness accounts describe U.S. troops executing the operation alongside the Syrian Free Army (SFA), a U.S.-trained opposition group that now reports to al-Sharaa’s Defense Ministry.

Abdel Kareem Masoud, al-Masoud’s cousin, recounted seeing U.S. military vehicles adorned with flags. He described an individual armed with a machine gun ordering residents to return indoors. According to al-Masoud’s mother, Sabah al-Sheikh al-Kilani, the forces surrounded her son’s house and forcibly entered after he identified himself as a member of the General Security, a Syrian Interior Ministry division.

Al-Kilani stated that her son was shot and taken away wounded. Later, the family was informed that he had been hospitalized, only to eventually receive a call to collect his body. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, with his mother demanding accountability for the loss of her son.

Concerns Over Intelligence Failures

Family members suspect that al-Masoud may have been identified based on erroneous intelligence provided by members of the Syrian Free Army. Representatives from the SFA did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.

Prior media reports suggested that the raid successfully captured an IS official, but the U.S. Central Command did not issue any statements confirming such an outcome, which is customary following successful operations against the extremist group. When questioned about the raid’s target and whether it was coordinated with the Syrian government, a U.S. defense official stated, “We are aware of these reports but do not have any information to provide.”

Increased coordination between coalition forces and the Syrian government may be crucial to prevent further incidents. In the past, IS controlled significant territory across Iraq and Syria, with estimates suggesting that around 2,500 IS members remain in the region. Recent statistics indicate that the number of IS attacks has decreased to 375 so far this year, a notable drop from 1,038 in 2022.

The complexities of the Syrian conflict and the ongoing fight against IS require careful navigation. The U.S. military, with fewer than 1,000 troops currently operating in Syria, continues to execute airstrikes and raids against IS cells, primarily in collaboration with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Free Army.

As the U.S. opens a new avenue of cooperation with the Syrian interim government, the tragic outcome of the October raid serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by conflicting intelligence and the urgent need for effective coordination in combatting terrorism.