Amerikanske spesialsoldater tok seg inn i IS-kontrollert område med helikopter og tok ut gruppens finansminister. Det er den andre topplederen som er eliminert på kort tid.

The killing of a top commander, Abd al-Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli, who is also known by other names, comes as the United States is having increased success targeting the Islamic State’s leadership. Last week, Defense Department officials concluded that American strikes had killed the group’s minister of war, Omar al-Shishani.

..

“We are systematically eliminating ISIL’s cabinet,” Mr. Carter said at a news conference, using an acronym for the group.

But he made clear that the challenge was not that simple.

“Striking leadership is necessary,” he said, “but as you know it’s far from sufficient. As you know leaders can be replaced. These leaders have been around for a long time — they are senior and experienced and eliminating them is an important objective and result. They will be replaced and we will continue to go after their leadership.”

Men det Carter ikke vurderer er sammenhengen mellom terror i Europa og likvidering av IS i kalifatet. Er det en slik sammenheng? Det kan ikke utelukkes. I så fall stiller det vestlige ledere overfor noen svært ubehagelige dilemmaer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/26/world/middleeast/abd-al-rahman-mustafa-al-qaduli-isis-reported-killed-in-syria.html?emc=edit_na_20160325&nlid=30317720&ref=cta&_r=0