American forces have killed an Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Yusif in a “precision strike” in Syria.

US Central Command (Centcom) announced the strike on Friday, saying it had targeted Yusif, also known as Mahmud, in the east of the country.

Another IS operative was also killed in the strike, it said.

“This airstrike is part of Centcom’s ongoing commitment, along with partners in the region, to disrupt and degrade efforts by terrorists to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel from the US, our allies, and our partners throughout the region,” a statement said.

The United States has for years carried out periodic strikes and raids to help prevent a resurgence of IS in Syria.

But Washington has in recent weeks stepped up military action against the jihadist group since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government earlier this month.

It has been hitting areas that were shielded by Syrian and Russian air defences before a lightning offensive by rebels who now control the country.