US raid reportedly targeted wrong person, killing Syrian undercover agent instead of Islamic State group official

DUMAYR, Syria A joint operation by U.S. forces and a Syrian local faction intended to capture an Islamic State (IS) operative resulted in the death of Khaled al-Masoud, a man gathering intelligence on IS, according to his family and Syrian officials.

The incident, which occurred in October, highlights the delicate security and political environment as the United States begins cooperation with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa against IS remnants.

Al-Masoud had been collecting information on IS for years, initially on behalf of al-Sharaa's insurgent faction and later for the interim government established after the fall of Bashar Assad. Al-Sharaas group, largely Islamist and sometimes linked to al-Qaida, has long opposed IS.

No statements have been released by U.S. or Syrian officials regarding al-Masouds death, suggesting both sides aim to avoid jeopardizing the improving relations. Weeks after the operation, al-Sharaa visited Washington and confirmed Syrias participation in the global anti-IS coalition. Security experts warn that al-Masouds killing could hinder ongoing anti-IS efforts.

According to analysts, al-Masoud was infiltrating IS in Syrias southern deserts, known as the Badiya, where the group remains active. The operation targeting him reflected a lack of coordination between the U.S.-led coalition and Syrian authorities.

In a demonstration of growing cooperation, U.S. Central Command recently reported that American forces, alongside Syrias Interior Ministry troops, located and destroyed 15 IS weapons stockpiles in southern Syria.

Details of the Raid

The operation took place in Dumayr, east of Damascus. Residents described being awakened at 3 a.m. by heavy vehicles and aircraft. U.S. troops reportedly conducted the raid with the Syrian Free Army (SFA), a U.S.-trained opposition faction now under Syrias Defense Ministry.

Al-Masouds cousin recounted seeing Humvees with U.S. flags and armed personnel. His mother said that U.S. forces surrounded al-Masouds house, ignored his claims of affiliation with Syrias General Security, broke down the door, and shot him. The family later learned he had died, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.

Intelligence and Misidentification

The family believes that incorrect intelligence from the SFA led to al-Masoud being targeted. Prior to the raid, he had worked with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib and later with al-Sharaas security services in Dumayr. Syrian officials confirmed his role in anti-IS operations.

Initial reports suggested the operation captured an IS member, but U.S. Central Command issued no statement. A U.S. defense official declined to comment on the coordination or target of the raid.

Importance of Coordination

At its height in 2015, IS controlled vast areas in Iraq and Syria and was known for extreme brutality. After years of fighting, the U.S.-led coalition eliminated its territorial control by late 2019, though about 2,500 IS members remain in the region. U.S. forces in Syria now operate in small numbers, conducting raids and airstrikes alongside Kurdish-led and local Syrian factions.

Al-Masoud has been classified as a civilian by Airwars, a conflict monitoring group, which has documented multiple cases where U.S. operations mistakenly harmed civilians. Experts suggest that coordination with the new Syrian government is crucial to prevent similar errors in the future, as previous incidents have sometimes been exploited by rival factions.

Author: Gavin Porter