The Pentagon (DoD) said the leader of the Islamic State group was killed in a US drone strike shortly after Russian military aircraft harassed the same MQ-9 Reaper drone over the western part of the country.

A US defense official, who asked not to be named, reported that the Russian aircraft harassed the MQ-9 Reaper for about two hours during its initial surveillance operations. After the incident, drones reportedly targeted and eliminated Osama al-Muhazir, who was riding a motorcycle in the Aleppo region.

🚨 US neutralizes ISIS leader Osama al-Muhazir in Syria. pic.twitter.com/Zd98jv6D1u

— Terror Alarm (@Terror_Alarm) July 9, 2023

The official said al-Muhazir normally operates in the east, but was in northwestern Syria during the attack.

Details regarding the identification of Al-Muhazir by the US military were not immediately available.

U.S. Central Command issued a statement on Sunday, claiming there were no indications of civilian casualties from the airstrikes. Nonetheless, reports suggesting possible harm to civilians were scrutinized.

The incident marked the third day in a row that US officials have expressed concern over Russian fighter jets performing dangerous and harassing procedures near US drones.

The US has released a video that appears to show a Russian Su-35 fighter flying near an MQ-9 Reaper drone over Syria. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/bjAuo23OXt

— Force News (@ForcesNews) July 6, 2023

U.S. Central Command Southwest Asia Allied Air Command Commander Lt. Gen. Alex Grinkewicz said the Russian aircraft had made “18 unprofessional flybys, which caused the MQ-9 to react to avoid a dangerous situation.” ‘ reported.

The U.S. military reported Wednesday that the first incident involved “dangerous and unprofessional conduct” by Russian military aircraft while three U.S. MQ-9 drones were on a mission against IS. The next day, Russian fighter jets reportedly conducted dangerous exercises over Syria against French and US aircraft, posing significant risks. (Related: ‘Incredibly dangerous’: Air Force accuses Russia of second harassment in two days)

Air Force Central Command spokesman Col. Michael Andrews said the latter incident lasted nearly an hour, during which the Russian aircraft made a flyby and deployed flares towards the MQ-9.

U.S. officials said the drone was unarmed on its early flights but was armed when it targeted al-Muhazir on Friday.

In a statement released, U.S. Central Command Commander General Eric Krilla said:[the U.S. military] We made it clear that we remain committed to defeating ISIS across the region. ”

Major General Oleg Grinov, head of the Russian-Syrian Center for Reconciliation, has expressed concern over the drone flights of the US-led coalition over northern Syria, calling it a “systematic breach of protocol” to prevent clashes between the two armies. said.