A suspected Islamic State senior leader has been killed in a Special Ops raid in Syria, US Secretary of Defence has said.
The mission - sanctioned by Barack Obama - was intended merely to capture Abu Sayyaf, who the US said helped direct "illict oil, gas and financial operations".
However, the suspected militant was killed when he engaged US personnel in combat, the White House said.
White House officials have said that the US did not advise the Syrian government in advance or coordinate with it on a special ops raid in which an Islamic State leader Abu Sayyaf was killed and his wife was captured and taken to Iraq.
"The U.S. government did not coordinate with the Syrian regime, nor did we advise them in advance of this operation," said a White House National Security Council spokeswoman.
"We have warned the Assad regime not to interfere with our ongoing efforts against ISIL inside of Syria," she said, using an alternative acronym for Islamic State.
"The Assad regime is not and cannot be a partner in the fight against ISIL."
The Democratic presidential candidate may also have shown his cards on his choice of running mate.
The US president also shared a post on Twitter accusing Dr Anthony Fauci of misleading the public over hydroxychloroquine.
Fears over an impending second wave of coronavirus dominates Wednesday’s front pages.