The State Department confirmed Monday that the two women who were taken following the raid that killed senior ISIS leader Abu Sayyaf in eastern Syria over the weekend are being held and debriefed for intelligence.
One, Abu Sayyaf's wife Umm Sayyaf, may have been complicit in the enslavement of the other, a Yazidi woman.
"We suspect that [Umm Sayyaf] is a member of [ISIS] as well and played an important role in their terrorist activities," said State Dept. spokesman Jeff Rathke.
Officials hope to determine whether Umm Sayyaf has information about Westerners held hostage by ISIS. The United States suspects Abu Sayyaf had a role in handling the the foreign hostages.
"[Abu Sayyaf] had a senior role in the oil and gas operations that [ISIS] carries out," Rathke said. "This is a major source of revenue for this terrorist organization. And he was also involved in [ISIS] military operations. So that is the focal point."
The enslaved Yazidi woman will be returned to her family after she is debriefed, officials said.
There was no word about possible charges against Umm Sayyaf.
Rathke also noted the United Stated did not consult the Syrian government before the raid.
