U.S. Special Forces Take Out ISIS Leader Al Baghdadi - Reports

United States President Donald Trump announced on October 27th that an operation by U.S. forces in Syria’s Idlib governate had succeeded in neutralising the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group Abu Bark Al Baghdadi. The operation reportedly saw American special forces inserted by helicopter into northwestern Syria and attack a fortified compound held by Islamic State. Baghdadi retreat underground into a dead end tunnel before taking his own life by detonating an explosive vest. The operation is reminiscent of one carried out eight years prior in May 2011 under the Barak Obama administration which saw the leader of Al Qaeda Osama Bin Laden killed. Reports of a successful operation are expected to boost President Trump’s approval ratings as they did those of his predecessor, which is particularly critical at a time of growing division within the government and looming presidential elections.

Speaking regarding the killing of the Islamic State leader, President Trump stated: “Last night the United States brought the world’s Number One terrorist leader to justice. He was a sick and depraved man, and now he’s gone… Baghdadi was vicious and violent, and he died in a vicious and violent way, as a coward running and crying.” The President reportedly watched the entire operation live, stating: “When we landed with eight helicopters, a large crew of brilliant fighters ran out of those helicopters and blew holes into the side of the building, not wanting to go through the main door because that was booby-trapped. It was something really amazing to see. I got to watch it along with the general, Vice President Pence, and others, in the Situation Room. We watched it so clearly. I don’t want to say how, but [it was] as though you are watching a movie.” It remains uncertain how the terror group will respond if at all, or whether the successful operation will affect American plans regarding troop deployments in Syria.