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Isis latest: At least three leaders of extremist militant group killed in US airstrikes in Iraq Isis latest: At least three leaders of extremist militant group killed in US airstrikes in Iraq
(35 minutes later)
At least three senior leaders of Isis have been killed in US-led airstrikes in Iraq in the past month and a half, a US defense official said today.At least three senior leaders of Isis have been killed in US-led airstrikes in Iraq in the past month and a half, a US defense official said today.
Airstrikes carried out between 3 December and 9 December killed Haji Mutazz, a deputy to Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; and Abd al-Basit, the top military commander, General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Wall Street Journal.Airstrikes carried out between 3 December and 9 December killed Haji Mutazz, a deputy to Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi; and Abd al-Basit, the top military commander, General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Wall Street Journal.
In later November, an attack killed mid-level commander Radwin Talib, who is in control of Iraq's second city Mosul, he revealed. In late November, an attack killed mid-level commander Radwin Talib, who is in control of Iraq's second city Mosul, he went on to reveal.
Mr Dempsey told the newspaper that the strikes were aimed at dampening the group’s ability to carry out attacks, supply its fighters, and finance its operations.Mr Dempsey told the newspaper that the strikes were aimed at dampening the group’s ability to carry out attacks, supply its fighters, and finance its operations.
The subsequent deaths of Mutazz and al-Basit would deal a particularly serious blow to Isis' "planning and command and control". The subsequent deaths of Mutazz and al-Basit would deal a particularly serious blow to Isis' "planning and command and control" he said.
Other defence officials told the newspaper that the recent strikes are beginning to significantly weakn the group's leadership structure in Iraq. Other defence officials told the newspaper that the recent strikes are beginning to significantly weaken the group's leadership structure in Iraq.
However, Ahmed Ali, an analyst at Washington-based think tank the Institute of the Study of War, said the hindrance may only be temporary, as Isis is likely to have replacements lined up.However, Ahmed Ali, an analyst at Washington-based think tank the Institute of the Study of War, said the hindrance may only be temporary, as Isis is likely to have replacements lined up.
Mirroring Mr Dempsey's analysis, Mr Ali said that that Mr Mutazz was one of Mr Baghdadi's "closest and most senior aides.” Mirroring Mr Dempsey's analysis, Mr Ali said that that Mr Mutazz was one of Mr Baghdadi's "closest and most senior aides."
More to follow The interview follows a press conference at the Pentagon today, where Lieutenant General James Terry said that despite the US-led coalition's recent successes, it would a minimum of three years  to achieve a turning point against Isis.
Asked at a Pentagon briefing about progress on the ground, he said that the first US air strikes had taken place only four months ago and counseled patience, estimating it would "at least take a minimum of three years."
Additional reporting by Reuters