Top Islamic State commander caught hiding in Syrian tunnel with bars of gold, phones and cash

A senior Islamic State leader has been captured during an underground tunnel raid in eastern Syria, reportedly surrounded by gold bullion, cash and 20 mobile phones.

US-backed forces last month landed the prized scalp of Osama al-Awaid, also known as Abu Zeid, who is said to be a trusted advisor to elusive IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

According to a statement from Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Awaid was caught in a special operation on November 22 in the eastern Syrian village of Al-Tana in Deir Al-Zour.

The SDF statement said Awaid was “one of the most dangerous terrorists” in the IS organisation and had directly helped plan and execute more than 40 attacks in Deir Al-Zour.

As yet unconfirmed reports stated a joint US-SDF patrol tracked Awaid to a tunnel under a house, where he intended to blow himself up.

Awaid was found with 20 mobile phones, 80 gold ingots and large sums of money, according to reports by a Kurdish media outlet.

Deir Al-Zour is one of the last remaining pockets of IS-held territory in Syria, after the so-called caliphate was dismantled following bitter and bloody combat in 2017.

US-led airstrikes have been pounding IS fighters in Deir Al-Zour as SDF ground forces attempt to root out jihadists on the eastern bank of Euphrates River.

It was confirmed today a senior IS leader involved in the 2014 execution of US hostage and former Army Ranger Peter Kassig was killed by an airstrike this weekend in Deir Al-Zour.

A US military spokesman said Abu al-Umarayn was hit in a “precision strike”.

In November 2014 IS released a video of Jihadi John, a known executioner, standing over Kassig’s body and severed head.

Anti-ISIS coalition military commanders believe IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi could be hiding out in Deir Al-Zour.

Al-Baghdadi’s death has been reported several times but audio recordings suggest the IS leader may still be alive.

Source: AP