The leader of ISIS is believed to have been killed in a raid conducted by the U.S. military in northwest Syria. President Trump has confirmed that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. Apparently, he killed himself with a suicide vest during Saturday's raid – and it’s been confirmed as him through DNA.
“A brutal killer, one who has caused so much hardship and death, was violently eliminated – he will never again harm another innocent man, woman or child. He died like a dog,” the President said in a statement. “He died like a coward. The world is now a much safer place.”
According to reports, the CIA reportedly assisted in locating the ISIS leader, and the raid was carried out by special operations commandos. It’s also been reported that al-Baghdadi killed three of his children when he committed suicide.
The parents of a journalist killed by ISIS are grateful the terrorist group's leader is dead. Diane Foley, whose son James Foley, was kidnapped and killed in 2014 by ISIS fighters, said she applauds the president, the intelligence agency, and the brave troops who went in and made it happen. “I am grateful to our President and brave troops... I hope this will hinder the resurgence of terror groups and pray that captured ISIS fighters will be brought to trial and held accountable,” she says in a statement. “I remain concerned about the dozen Americans held hostage in Syria, including Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz. And I ask President Trump to make them, and all American hostages, a priority."
Speaking of ISIS, the organization may already have a new leader in place. According to various reports, Abdullah Qardash was allegedly appointed by Baghdadi to operate the group's "Muslim affairs" back in August, citing ISIS' official news outlet. That report, however, has never been publicly endorsed by ISIS. Qardash is a former Iraqi military officer who served under Saddam Hussein and he may have already been calling some shots.
Source: White House