Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi , the shadowy leader of the Islamic State group who presided over its global jihad and became arguably the world's most wanted man, was killed in a U.S. military raid in Syria, President Donald Trump said Sunday. He provided graphic details of al-Baghdadi's final moments as American forces pursued and cornered him and his children in a tunnel.
"Last night, the United States brought the world's number one terrorist leader to justice," Trump announced at the White House. "Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead."
We had to deconflict with Syria, Russia, and Turkey, of course. Iraqi intelligence aided us. The Syrian Kurds helped us, too.
Apparently, from television reporting, about 100 American special forces flew by helicopter from northern Iraq to try to capture him, but he detonated explosives that killed himself,
I'm going to guess this was the Army Delta Force rather than Navy SEALS. Plus some Rangers. But I'm guessing.
For the Confused-American community, that's a good thing. May he rot in Hell. Remember, the only good jihadi is a dead jihadi.
Baghdadi may have been lulled by our withdrawal from northeast Syria, I'll guess.
Let's hope that we can exploit any intelligence we gained from being on the ground.
Question: Did the Turks help us? Or were they merely notified so they could let us know where their forces nearby were to avoid an incident?
UPDATE: The Washington Post describes al-Baghdadi as "an austere religious scholar" in headline (tip to Instapundit).
Wait. What?
Is the WP saying that this jihadi terrorist was an authentic Islamic voice?
My understanding from past mainstream media coverage is that jihadis in no way represent "real Islam." I guess Orange Man Bad means Green Man Good.
