Qureshi has largely remained in the shadows after suceeding Baghdadi, who led the group to the height of its self-proclaimed caliphate, when it controlled large parts of Syria and Iraq and ruled over millions. The group has been waging insurgent attacks in Iraq and Syria since its defeat on the battlefield almost three years ago.

According to an official in the US administration, “At the beginning of the operation the terrorist target exploded a bomb that killed him and members of his own family, including women and children.”

John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary said, the raid was a successful counter-terrorism mission, saying there were no US casualties.

Syrian aid workers say at least 13 people, including six children and four women, have been killed in clashes and explosions since the raids began, targeting a house in the Atmeh area near the Turkish border. US military procedures to guard against civilian casualties are currently under scrutiny following a high-profile mistaken drone strike in Afghanistan that the Pentagon initially hailed a success.