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ISIS Leader Killed In US Raid, Donald Trump Confirms

ISIS Leader Killed In US Raid, Donald Trump Confirms

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest in north-west Syria

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed after US special forces chased him into a dead-end tunnel where he detonated a suicide vest.

The raid was carried out in north-west Syria and Donald Trump announced the outcome earlier today.

At the press conference in the White House, President Trump said that the United States brought the 'world's greatest terrorist leader to justice', adding 'Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead'.

Debris of a house following the US-led raid.
PA

Trump went on to explain that the Islamic State leader died 'whimpering and crying and screaming' after he ran towards the dead-end tunnel.

Baghdadi took three of his young children with him as he tried to escape before detonating his vest - meaning he also killed the children.

Mr Trump added: "The thug who tried so hard to intimidate others spent his last moments in utter fear, in total panic and dread, terrified of the American forces bearing down on him."

He continued: "He died like a dog. He died like a coward. The world is now a much safer place." Mr Trump explained that he watched a lot of the raid in real time from the White House Situation Room.

The leader of the militant Islamic State (ISIS) made his first public appearance in 2014.
PA

It has been reported that many of Baghdadi's team were killed, but the exact number will be confirmed in the coming days. The US lost no personnel in the operation.

Applauding the troops, Trump said: "This raid was impeccable and could only have taken place with the acknowledgment and help of certain other nations and people.

"I want to thank the nations of Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iraq and I also want to thank the Syrian kurds for certain support they were able to give us."

Baghdadi originally joined the Iraqi branch of terror group al-Qaeda, and later assumed control of what became known as the Islamic State of Iraq.

According to Sky News, Baghdadi has been overseeing IS's rise for the past five years.

There have been various reports in the past that Baghdadi had been killed: one took place during an airstrike in Iraq four years ago.

Another false report emerged in 2017, when Russia's military claimed it had killed him in an airstrike.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, US News, ISIS, Syria