Coalition kills IS oil network leader, followers

WASHINGTON, June 19 (KUNA) -- The Coalition against the so-called Islamic State killed a leader and three of his followers affiliated with the group's Oil and Gas Network during operations on May 26 in the Middle Euphrates River Valley in Syria, according to US Central Command on Tuesday.
Abu Khattab Al Iraqi, the network's leader, "managed revenue generation through the illicit sale of oil and gas," the statement said.
The three other men killed, Abu Yusuf Al Hashimi, Abu Hajir Milhim, and Abu Hiba Al Maghrebi, facilitated these operations.
"The death of these Daesh (IS) members hinders the terrorist group's ability to finance operations throughout Iraq and Syria," the statement said. "With the removal of this network, the ability to pay fighters, procure weapons, and maintain equipment will be degraded." (end) ak.mb