US Defense Chief Confirms Death of Senior Daesh Leader Haji Imam

The United States believes that senior Daesh leader Haji Imam was killed earlier this week, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said during a press conference on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Carter noted that Imam's death hampers Daesh's ability to conduct operations in and out of Iraq and Syria.

"The US military killed several key ISIL [Daesh] terrorists this week including we believe Haji Imam who we believe… was an ISIL leader, senior leader who was serving as a finance minister and who also is responsible for some external affairs and plots," Carter stated.

He added that the US military has also eliminated a senior Daesh leader, Abu Sarah, who was involved in paying terrorist fighters in Iraq. In addition, the United States killed other terrorist operatives charged with external plotting and training.

"Striking the leadership is necessary, but it is far from sufficient," Carter underscored. "Leaders can be replaced."

The defense secretary also pointed out that the momentum in the anti-Daesh campaign is currently on the side of the United States.

The US military has eliminated Daesh operatives charged with external plotting, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said.

"We targeted a number of ISIL [Daesh] associates who were directly involved in external plotting and training," Carter stated. "We believe these actions have been successful."

The US military has seized the momentum in the campaign against the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, Carter said. "The momentum of this campaign is now clearly on our side," Carter stated.