CIA Starts 'Secret' Drone Program For High-Level Islamic State Targets

Reports indicate that the CIA and U.S. Special Operations have started a secret drone program to hunt Islamic State targets of "high value" in Syria.

The program, which parallels the current U.S.-led airstrike project against the Islamic State, is considered a "separate effort" to go after high leaders in the terrorist organization.

The drone campaign includes a more active role on behalf of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and its Counterterrorism Center (CTC) in defeating the Islamic State.

"These people are being identified and targeted through a separate effort," a senior U.S. official involved in the drone campaign recently told The Washington Post.

According to The Telegraph, while the current U.S.-led airstrike program against the Islamic State targets terrorist strongholds, this new, clandestine program will consist of a "hit list" of top Islamic State operatives.

The recent drone killing of British militant Junaid Hussain in Syria was reportedly apart of this new program to target high-up Islamic State militants. 21-year-old Hussain was reportedly moved up to the top of the "hit list" after his name was connected to the Garland, Texas shooting at a Muhammad cartoon drawing competition earlier this year.

An official added to the Washington Post that Hussain was seen as a high-threat target due to his ability to recruit Islamic State sympathizers in the U.S., especially due to his ability to convince sympathizers to carry out airstrikes on U.S. soil.

The U.S. reportedly asked Great Britain for permission before striking Hussain.