US says airstrike in Syria killed German rapper-turned-terrorist

Washington: US defense officials said Friday a US air strike in Syria two weeks ago killed a one-time German rapper described by authorities as a “foreign terrorist fighter” who had publicly threatened President Barack Obama.

Denis Cuspert was designated a global terrorist this year by the State Department. Defense Department spokesman Maj. James Brindle says Cuspert was killed during an October 16 air strike near Raqqa.

Brindle said Cuspert was a foreign terrorist fighter and operative for Daesh who used social media to take advantage of disaffected youth and potential Western recruits.

Brindle says he publicly threatened the US and German citizens and also encouraged western Muslims to conduct attacks on behalf of Daesh.

Cuspert used the stage name "Deso Dogg" and ended his rap career after converting to Islam.