Washington: President Donald Trump has confirmed that ISIS leader Baghdadi has been killed in an operation performed by our soldiers. "Last night, we brought the world's number one terrorist leader to justice." And he died like a dog, like a coward." He added further.
File Photo; US President Donald Trump
Trump also lauded the efforts done by the US forces and stated that a 'daring raid' had taken place by our troops, which ended for more than two hours. A large number of ISIS's terrorists were also killed in this operation.
Our officials had scoped out al Baghdadi's whereabouts a couple of weeks before the raid. And the soldiers booby-trapped the main door of the compound al Baghdadi was found in. In this operation eight helicopters were used as well as ships and planes.
Al Baghdadi destroyed himself along with his three children during the operation by setting off a suicide vest. “He reached the end of the tunnel as our dogs chased him down," the president said. "His body was mutilated by the blasts. The tunnel had caved on him." Test results from the aftermath of the raid confirmed the deceased was the Islamic State leader.
President Trump also revealed that Kurdish intelligence coperated the operation and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said it had worked with the US on a "successful" mission. He also thanked Russia for opening up their airspace, despite them not knowing the nature of the US mission.
The president was watching the unfolded events alongside vice-president Mike Pence from the White House situation room, saying it felt "as though you were watching a movie". President Trump also insinuated that the footage of the operation would be released publicly so the world could know how ISIS chief Baghdadi spent his final moments "crying, whimpering" and "screaming".
Terrorist, Al Baghdadi, the notorious group leader, was one of the world's most wanted criminals, with a bounty of $25m (£19.5m) on his head. He was at the centre of an international manhunt for years but had not made an appearance since 2014.