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Coordinates: 36°09′57″N 36°37′39″E / 36.1658°N 36.6274°E / 36.1658; 36.6274
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Reverted 1 edit by Ritvik0 (talk): Not a typo, Newsweek issued a correction: "This story has been updated to correct Conan's gender." (TW)
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The raiders also killed a local [[Guardians of Religion Organization]] commander,<ref name=telegraph27102019>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/27/chief-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-reportedly-killed-us-forces/|title=Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'died like a dog and coward' in US special forces raid, says Donald Trump|first1=Josie|last1=Ensor|first2=Nick|last2=Allen|date=October 27, 2019|newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref> identified as Abu Muhammad al-Halabi, the owner of the house Baghdadi was staying at.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/27/nowhere-left-to-run-how-the-us-finally-caught-up-with-isis-leader-baghdadi|title=Nowhere left to run: how the US finally caught up with Isis leader Baghdadi|first=Martin|last=Chulov|date=October 29, 2019|webiste=The Guardian|accessdate=October 30, 2019}}</ref> However he and other Guardians of Religion members involved in the raid are believed to have been part of an internal pro-ISIL faction of the group, which is generally opposed to and critical of ISIL, including telling its members to not associate with ISIL or its members.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=ajaltamimi |number=1188469278716116992 |date=27 October 2019 |title=Another point re. Baghdadi and alleged relations with AQ loyalist Hurras al-Din. Baghdadi definitely was not working with Hurras as an organization. But it’s likely group has some IS sympathizers inside it. In February Hurras warned its members against affiliation/contact w/IS }}</ref> An Iraqi intelligence official and [[Hisham al-Hashimi]] however have stated to [[The Independent]] that Halabi was also a smuggler, which is why the ISIL head and his family utilized his services.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/how-baghdadi-caught-isis-trump-us-syria-leaders-islamic-state-a9175251.html|title=How al-Baghdadi was caught after years in hiding, and who in Isis will take over|first=Trew|last=Bel|date=October 29, 2019|webiste=The Guardian|accessdate=October 30, 2019}}</ref>
The raiders also killed a local [[Guardians of Religion Organization]] commander,<ref name=telegraph27102019>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/27/chief-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-reportedly-killed-us-forces/|title=Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'died like a dog and coward' in US special forces raid, says Donald Trump|first1=Josie|last1=Ensor|first2=Nick|last2=Allen|date=October 27, 2019|newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref> identified as Abu Muhammad al-Halabi, the owner of the house Baghdadi was staying at.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/27/nowhere-left-to-run-how-the-us-finally-caught-up-with-isis-leader-baghdadi|title=Nowhere left to run: how the US finally caught up with Isis leader Baghdadi|first=Martin|last=Chulov|date=October 29, 2019|webiste=The Guardian|accessdate=October 30, 2019}}</ref> However he and other Guardians of Religion members involved in the raid are believed to have been part of an internal pro-ISIL faction of the group, which is generally opposed to and critical of ISIL, including telling its members to not associate with ISIL or its members.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=ajaltamimi |number=1188469278716116992 |date=27 October 2019 |title=Another point re. Baghdadi and alleged relations with AQ loyalist Hurras al-Din. Baghdadi definitely was not working with Hurras as an organization. But it’s likely group has some IS sympathizers inside it. In February Hurras warned its members against affiliation/contact w/IS }}</ref> An Iraqi intelligence official and [[Hisham al-Hashimi]] however have stated to [[The Independent]] that Halabi was also a smuggler, which is why the ISIL head and his family utilized his services.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/how-baghdadi-caught-isis-trump-us-syria-leaders-islamic-state-a9175251.html|title=How al-Baghdadi was caught after years in hiding, and who in Isis will take over|first=Trew|last=Bel|date=October 29, 2019|webiste=The Guardian|accessdate=October 30, 2019}}</ref>


An [[Dogs in warfare|American Special Operations Military Working Dog]] (SOMWD), a female Belgian [[Malinois dog|Malinois]] called [[Conan (dog)|''Conan'']],<ref name="Newsweek">{{cite news |last=Laporta |first=James |date=October 29, 2019 |title=Classified name revealed of special operations dog wounded in Syria raid that killed ISIS leader Baghdadi|url=https://www.newsweek.com/classified-name-dog-wounded-syria-isis-baghdadi-raid-revealed-1468238 |work= |location=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=October 29, 2019 }}</ref> who chased Baghdadi, was treated for his injuries and returned back to work on October 28. During a news conference that day, Esper and Milley declined to identify him for security reasons; Trump released a declassified photograph of him later in the day.<ref name="dog">{{cite web |title=Top dog: Hero K9 of al-Baghdadi raid returns to duty after treatment (and presumably treats) |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/28/al-baghdadi-raid-injured-dog-returns-duty/2486917001/ |publisher=USA Today |accessdate= October 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=With a tweet and photo, Trump feeds intrigue about a classified military dog in Baghdadi raid |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2019/10/28/with-tweet-photo-trump-feeds-intrigue-about-classified-military-dog-baghdadi-raid/ |agency=Washington Post |publisher=Washington Post}}</ref>
An [[Dogs in warfare|American Special Operations Military Working Dog]] (SOMWD), a male Belgian [[Malinois dog|Malinois]] called [[Conan (dog)|''Conan'']],<ref name="Newsweek">{{cite news |last=Laporta |first=James |date=October 29, 2019 |title=Classified name revealed of special operations dog wounded in Syria raid that killed ISIS leader Baghdadi|url=https://www.newsweek.com/classified-name-dog-wounded-syria-isis-baghdadi-raid-revealed-1468238 |work= |location=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=October 29, 2019 }}</ref> who chased Baghdadi, was treated for his injuries and returned back to work on October 28. During a news conference that day, Esper and Milley declined to identify him for security reasons; Trump released a declassified photograph of him later in the day.<ref name="dog">{{cite web |title=Top dog: Hero K9 of al-Baghdadi raid returns to duty after treatment (and presumably treats) |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/10/28/al-baghdadi-raid-injured-dog-returns-duty/2486917001/ |publisher=USA Today |accessdate= October 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=With a tweet and photo, Trump feeds intrigue about a classified military dog in Baghdadi raid |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2019/10/28/with-tweet-photo-trump-feeds-intrigue-about-classified-military-dog-baghdadi-raid/ |agency=Washington Post |publisher=Washington Post}}</ref>


==Reactions==
==Reactions==

Revision as of 08:36, 30 October 2019

Operation Kayla Mueller
Part of the Operation Inherent Resolve, American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War, International military intervention against ISIL, Syrian Civil War, the Spillover of the Syrian Civil War and the Global War on Terrorism
File:Al-Baghdadi Compound.jpg
The compound where Baghdadi died
DateOctober 26–27, 2019
Location
Barisha, Harem District, Idlib Governorate, Syria
36°09′57″N 36°37′39″E / 36.1658°N 36.6274°E / 36.1658; 36.6274
Result

Operation successful

Belligerents
 United States
Supported by:
 Iraq[1]
 Turkey[2][3]
Syrian Democratic Forces[4]		 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
File:HurasAlDeenFlag.png Guardians of Religion Organization
Commanders and leaders
United States Donald Trump Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi †
Abu Yaman †[5]
File:HurasAlDeenFlag.png Abu Muhammad al-Halabi[6]
Units involved

Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)

Unknown
Strength
~100 JSOC operators [7]
8 helicopters		 Unknown
Casualties and losses
2 injured[8] 6 killed[9]
2 captured[10]
3-5 civilians killed[11]
Barisha is located in Syria
Barisha
Barisha
class=notpageimage|
Location of Barisha

The Barisha raid, officially codenamed Operation Kayla Mueller after Kayla Mueller,[12] was a United States military operation conducted in Barisha, Idlib Governorate, Syria on October 26–27, 2019, to capture or kill Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the then-leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terror organization. According to U.S. officials, Baghdadi killed himself and three children while "whimpering and crying" when he detonated a suicide belt during the raid.[13]

Prelude

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), working with the U.S. government, spent five months gathering intelligence on Baghdadi's location.[14] According to SDF commander General Mazloum Abdi, the operation had been delayed by a month due to Turkey's military build-up at the Syrian border and the Turkish incursion into northeastern Syria that followed.[15] The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence, military, and counter-terrorism officials said that the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria by President Donald Trump had disrupted the plans for the operation against the ISIL leader Baghdadi, but the Syrian Kurds continued to provide information to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) even though they were confronted with the resulting Turkish offensive.[16] One of the officials remarked that the Syrian and Iraqi Kurds had provided more intelligence for the raid than any single country.[16]

The New York Times reported that, according to two anonymous American officials, the CIA obtained the original intelligence on Baghdadi following the arrests of one of his wives and a courier, after which the CIA worked closely with Iraqi and Kurdish intelligence officials in Iraq and Syria.[16] The Washington Post reported that, according to an anonymous American official, an ISIL militant turned informant for the Kurds had provided critical intelligence about his location.[17] The SDF commander Mazloum Abdi revealed that their informant was deep inside Baghdadi's inner circle as a security adviser, had provided a detailed layout of the complex, and was on-site during the operation after which he left with the U.S. forces.[18] SDF officials said that the informant had stolen Baghdadi's underwear and a sample of Baghdadi's blood, which was provided to the U.S. intelligence for DNA analysis and resulted in a positive match.[18][19] A senior U.S. State Department official said that the Kurdish-led SDF "played a key role" in the raid on Baghdadi's compound, the United States was in close communication with Mazloum Abdi about every aspect of their operation, and Mazloum Abdi's statements about the raid were accurate (referring to the joint intelligence cooperation on the ground).[19]

Reuters reported Iraqi intelligence officials as stating that the arrest several ISIL leaders was the key behind learning about Baghdadi's movements and hiding places. They said that Ismael al-Ethawi, believed to be a top aide to Baghdadi, was found and followed by informants in Syria, apprehended by Turkish authorities, and handed over to the Iraqi intelligence agents to whom he provided information in February 2018. The Iraqis then gave the information to the CIA, who kept surveillance on the dicovered location through a satellite and drones. They also said that, in 2019, the United States, Turkish and Iraqi intelligence conducted a joint operation in which they captured several high-ranking ISIL leaders, which included four Iraqis and a Syrian, who provided the locations where they met with Baghdadi inside Syria, after which they decided to coordinate with the CIA to deploy more sources inside these areas. One of the Iraqi officials remarked that "his last moment to live" was when Baghdadi and his family left the location that he was in for the first time.[20] A U.S. official disputed the Iraqi account that Iraq had provided the exact location of Baghdadi and stated that the operation was triggered when he appeared in a location where they already had established intelligence collection.[15]

The Turkish Defense Ministry said that Turkish and U.S. military authorities exchanged and coordinated information ahead of the attack in Idlib.[21][22] A U.S. official stated that Turkey was informed prior to the operation to avoid an unintended clash between their forces, but was not notified about the target due to concerns that the information would become compromised and did not provide any assistance to the operation.[15]

The raid took place in the Idlib province of Syria. There are around 20,000-30,000 fighters in Idlib, General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, explained in July 2019. This was followed by the Deputy Secretary for the Middle East Michael P. Mulroy who explained that “Idlib is essentially the largest collection of al-Qaeda affiliates in the world.” [23] The Institute for the Study of War also warned that Idlib is the focus of a strategy by the ISIS to reconstitute and that Idlib may well be the incubator for the next iteration of IS and al-Qaeda.[23]

Raid

President Donald Trump, with key civilian and military officials, observe the operation in the White House Situation Room

On October 26, 2019, U.S. Joint Special Operations Command's (JSOC) 1st SFOD-D operators along with Army Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment Regimental Reconnaissance Company conducted a raid into the rebel-held Idlib province of Syria on the border with Turkey to capture Baghdadi.[24] The eight U.S. military helicopters, Boeing MH-47 Chinooks and Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawks, carrying the Delta and Ranger RRC operators from a military base near Erbil, Iraq,[16] reportedly came under fire as they approached the compound where Baghdadi was located. According to the U.S., Delta Force operators landed outside the compound and breached the walls with explosives. The entire operation lasted roughly two hours.[25] DNA profiling and biometrics tests were done immediately, confirming his identity.[26]

Fourteen hours after the raid, Trump announced that Baghdadi died by detonating a suicide vest after he was chased by American military dogs and was cornered inside a tunnel, also killing three children alongside him.[25][12] It was reported that Baghdadi was "whimpering and crying" in the moments leading up to his death. The raid was launched based on a CIA Special Activities Division's intelligence effort that located the leader of ISIL.[27] The Syrian Democratic Forces reported that they provided direct and extensive support to the operation.[28]

Trump reported that American forces used helicopters, jets, and drones through airspace controlled by Russia and Turkey.[7] He also said that they had Baghdadi "under surveillance for 'a couple of weeks' and 'two or three' raids had been canceled because of his movements". He continued, "The forces targeted the compound using eight helicopters, which were met with hostile fire. The commandos entered the building by blowing holes in the wall, avoiding the main door which was booby-trapped."[25]

Casualties and aftermath

Trump announces the raid to the press in the White House Diplomatic Reception Room on October 27, 2019

Trump said no American soldiers were injured,[25] but Mark Esper, the Secretary of Defense, said two had been lightly injured during the raid.[29]

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark A. Milley, said during a Pentagon briefing that Baghdadi's corpse disposal "was handled appropriately", and that Washington had no plans to release images of his death. He was buried at sea and afforded Islamic rites, three anonymous U.S. officials told Reuters and a Pentagon source told AFP.[30][31]

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), Delta Force killed nine people, including one child, two women and some high-ranking ISIL leaders.[32] Baghdadi's suicide vest killed three more children, reportedly his own. The Americans captured two militants and eleven children.[33][12]

The raiders also killed a local Guardians of Religion Organization commander,[34] identified as Abu Muhammad al-Halabi, the owner of the house Baghdadi was staying at.[35] However he and other Guardians of Religion members involved in the raid are believed to have been part of an internal pro-ISIL faction of the group, which is generally opposed to and critical of ISIL, including telling its members to not associate with ISIL or its members.[36] An Iraqi intelligence official and Hisham al-Hashimi however have stated to The Independent that Halabi was also a smuggler, which is why the ISIL head and his family utilized his services.[37]

An American Special Operations Military Working Dog (SOMWD), a male Belgian Malinois called Conan,[38] who chased Baghdadi, was treated for his injuries and returned back to work on October 28. During a news conference that day, Esper and Milley declined to identify him for security reasons; Trump released a declassified photograph of him later in the day.[39][40]

Reactions

Statement by SDF spokesman Redur Khalil on Baghdadi's death

Representatives of several countries, including Australia,[41] France,[42], Israel,[43] and the United Kingdom,[42] said that the death of Baghdadi, while important, would not mark the end of the fight against ISIL. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the raid's result, if confirmed, represented a serious contribution by the United States toward combating terrorism.[41]

U.S. officials have said that President Donald Trump's announcement of Baghdadi's death contains several pieces of information that are inaccurate, highly classified, or tactically sensitive.[44]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Iraqi intelligence paved way for Baghdadi raid: intelligence official". Reuters. October 27, 2019.
  2. ^ "Exclusive: Baghdadi's aide was key to his capture - Iraqi intelligence sources". October 28, 2019 – via www.reuters.com.
  3. ^ "Turkey says shared information with U.S. before Baghdadi operation". October 28, 2019 – via www.reuters.com.
  4. ^ "Kurdish informant provided key intel in operation that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi". NBC News. October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  5. ^ "Fall of Al Baghdadi, world's most wanted man: How military operations unfolded". Gulf News.
  6. ^ Johnson, Dominic (October 27, 2019). "IS-Chef Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi ist tot: Gestorben "wie ein Hund"" – via taz.de.
  7. ^ a b "Trump confirms ISIS leader Baghdadi is dead after US raid in Syria — 'He died like a coward'". CNBC. October 27, 2019.
  8. ^ Zeke Miller; Deb Riechmann; Robert Burns (October 28, 2019). "Trump says U.S. forces cornered ISIS leader in dead-end tunnel". Associated Press.
  9. ^ Starr, Barbara (October 28, 2019). "What we know about the Baghdadi raid". CNN.
  10. ^ "Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi death: US military says two men detained". BBC. October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  11. ^ https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-isis-intl-hnk/h_33749f7616f37c028933aea28a5021b1
  12. ^ a b c Perraudin, Frances (October 27, 2019). "Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in US raid, Trump confirms". The Guardian.
  13. ^ "ISIS leader killed in daring U.S. raid in Syria, Trump says". POLITICO.
  14. ^ Seligman, Lara (October 27, 2019). "Baghdadi is Dead, But ISIS Remains Emboldened Since Trump's Drawdown". Foreign Policy. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spent five months working with the U.S. government to gather intelligence on Baghdadi's whereabouts, according to Kurdish and U.S. officials. Gen. Mazloum Abdi, SDF commander, was the only foreigner to know about the target, he told Foreign Policy through a translator. His account was confirmed independently by the senior U.S. official.
  15. ^ a b c Seligman, Lara (October 27, 2019). "Baghdadi is Dead, But ISIS Remains Emboldened Since Trump's Drawdown". Foreign Policy.
  16. ^ a b c d Schmitt, Eric; Cooper, Helene; Barnes, Julian E. (October 27, 2019). "Trump's Syria Troop Withdrawal Complicated Plans for al-Baghdadi Raid". The New York Times.
  17. ^ Ryan, Missy; Lamothe, Dan (October 27, 2019). "Trump says Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi blew himself up as U.S. troops closed in". The Washington Post.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ a b Engel, Richard; Arkin, Daniel (October 28, 2019). "Kurdish informant provided key intel in operation that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi". NBC News.
  19. ^ a b Qiblawi, Tamara (October 29, 2019). "A spy stole ISIS leader Baghdadi's underwear for DNA test, Kurds say". CNN.
  20. ^ "Exclusive: Baghdadi's aide was key to his capture - Iraqi intelligence sources". Reuters. October 27, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Turkish-U.S. military forces exchanged information ahead of U.S. operation in Syria". Reuters. October 27, 2019.
  22. ^ "Prior to the US Operation in Idlib Province of Syria last night, information exchange and coordination between the military authorities of both countries took place". October 27, 2019 – via Official Twitter Account of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Defence.
  23. ^ a b Review, Week in (July 19, 2019). "While the world focuses on Iran, a tragedy is 'unfolding before our eyes' in Idlib". Al-Monitor.
  24. ^ "Al-Baghdadi Killed in Idlib, a Hotbed of Terror Groups, Foreign Fighters". VOA News. October 27, 2019.
  25. ^ a b c d "IS leader killed by US forces in Syria, Trump says". BBC. October 27, 2019.
  26. ^ Axe, David (October 28, 2019). "How U.S. Commandos IDed a 'Mutilated' Baghdadi So Quickly". Daily Beast.
  27. ^ Jackson, David; Subramanian, Courtney; Collins, Michael. "President Trump says ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead after U.S.-led raid in Syria". USA Today.
  28. ^ Altman, Howard (October 27, 2019). "Trump: ISIS leader al-Baghdadi killed in US commando raid". Military Times.
  29. ^ "Trump Says 'Beautiful' and 'Talented' Dog Injured in al-Baghdadi Raid". The New York Times. October 27, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  30. ^ "Baghdadi's body disposed of at sea by US military: Pentagon source". gulfnews.com.
  31. ^ "Baghdadi given burial at sea, afforded religious rites: U.S. officials". October 28, 2019 – via www.reuters.com.
  32. ^ "Barisha's mysterious night: aerial bombardment and clashes on the ground and a landing by the U.S. Forces led to 9 casualties including a child, 2 women, and first-rank ISIS leaders". Syrian Observatory For Human Rights. October 27, 2019.
  33. ^ "President Trump: ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead". CNN. October 27, 2019.
  34. ^ Ensor, Josie; Allen, Nick (October 27, 2019). "Isil leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'died like a dog and coward' in US special forces raid, says Donald Trump". The Telegraph.
  35. ^ Chulov, Martin (October 29, 2019). "Nowhere left to run: how the US finally caught up with Isis leader Baghdadi". Retrieved October 30, 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |webiste= ignored (help)
  36. ^ @ajaltamimi (October 27, 2019). "Another point re. Baghdadi and alleged relations with AQ loyalist Hurras al-Din. Baghdadi definitely was not working with Hurras as an organization. But it's likely group has some IS sympathizers inside it. In February Hurras warned its members against affiliation/contact w/IS" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  37. ^ Bel, Trew (October 29, 2019). "How al-Baghdadi was caught after years in hiding, and who in Isis will take over". Retrieved October 30, 2019. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |webiste= ignored (help)
  38. ^ Laporta, James (October 29, 2019). "Classified name revealed of special operations dog wounded in Syria raid that killed ISIS leader Baghdadi". Newsweek. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  39. ^ "Top dog: Hero K9 of al-Baghdadi raid returns to duty after treatment (and presumably treats)". USA Today. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  40. ^ "With a tweet and photo, Trump feeds intrigue about a classified military dog in Baghdadi raid". Washington Post. Washington Post.
  41. ^ a b "Trump says U.S. may release parts of Baghdadi raid video". Reuters. Reuters. October 28, 2019.
  42. ^ a b "Factbox: World reacts to announcement of Islamic State leader Baghdadi's death". www.reuters.com. October 27, 2019.
  43. ^ "WATCH // Netanyahu Congratulates Trump for Baghdadi Killing". Reuters. October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  44. ^ Kube, Courtney; Lee, Carol E. (October 28, 2019). "Officials cringed as Trump spilled sensitive details of al-Baghdadi raid". NBC News.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Death_of_Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi&oldid=923708921"