This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2019/oct/27/abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-islamic-state-leader-trump-syria
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 10 | Version 11 |
|---|---|
| Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in US raid, says Donald Trump - latest updates | Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in US raid, says Donald Trump - latest updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Reports of his death had been frequent – and exaggerated, writes Martin Chulov. But not this time. | |
| Even as US forces were flying to Iraq the remains of the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was killed in Syria in the early hours of Saturday, a debate about his legacy was stirring. | |
| For more than five years, Baghdadi, who was known by birth as Ibrahim Awwad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri, was the most wanted man on the planet – a figure who had turned an already potent post-invasion insurgency in Iraq into a formidable terrorist juggernaut that changed the course of history. | |
| In the time he led the Isis terror group, Baghdadi succeeded in shredding the authority of Iraq and Syria and testing the borders of the entire Middle East – all the while eluding the world’s most powerful intelligence agencies and militaries. | |
| Chulov writes that the Isis leader’s death comes as a new order takes shape in the Middle East. Read the whole piece here: | |
| Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's death comes as new order takes shape in Middle East | |
| Iran’s information minister has tweeted that the death of Baghdadi is “not a big deal”. | Iran’s information minister has tweeted that the death of Baghdadi is “not a big deal”. |
| Quoting Donald Trump’s tweet, Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi said: “Not a big deal. You just killed your creature.” | Quoting Donald Trump’s tweet, Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi said: “Not a big deal. You just killed your creature.” |
| Not a big deal! You just killed your creature. https://t.co/jrPuLWh5Sm | Not a big deal! You just killed your creature. https://t.co/jrPuLWh5Sm |
| Here’s an edit of the key parts of that Trump press conference: | Here’s an edit of the key parts of that Trump press conference: |
| Diane Foley, whose son James was among those whose deaths were filmed for gruesome murder videos that became a trademark of Isis, has issued a response to the news that Baghdadi is dead. | Diane Foley, whose son James was among those whose deaths were filmed for gruesome murder videos that became a trademark of Isis, has issued a response to the news that Baghdadi is dead. |
| I am grateful to our president and brave troops for finding Isis leader Al-Bagdadi. I hope this will hinder the resurgence of terror groups and pray that captured Isis fighters will be brought to trial and held accountable. | I am grateful to our president and brave troops for finding Isis leader Al-Bagdadi. I hope this will hinder the resurgence of terror groups and pray that captured Isis fighters will be brought to trial and held accountable. |
| And here’s some reaction from France’s minister for the armed forces, Florence Parly. | And here’s some reaction from France’s minister for the armed forces, Florence Parly. |
| Baghdadi : retraite anticipée pour un terroriste, mais pas pour son organisation. Nous poursuivrons le combat sans relâche contre Daech, avec nos partenaires, en nous adaptant aux nouvelles circonstances régionales. 1/2 | Baghdadi : retraite anticipée pour un terroriste, mais pas pour son organisation. Nous poursuivrons le combat sans relâche contre Daech, avec nos partenaires, en nous adaptant aux nouvelles circonstances régionales. 1/2 |
| Je félicite nos alliés américains pour cette opération. J'ai aussi aujourd'hui une pensée particulière pour toutes les victimes de la folie de Baghdadi et des criminels qui l’ont suivi. 2/2 | Je félicite nos alliés américains pour cette opération. J'ai aussi aujourd'hui une pensée particulière pour toutes les victimes de la folie de Baghdadi et des criminels qui l’ont suivi. 2/2 |
| She says: | She says: |
| Baghdadi: Early retirement for a terrorist, but not for his organisation. We will continue the fight relentlessly against Daesh, with our partners, adapting ourselves to new regional circumstances. | Baghdadi: Early retirement for a terrorist, but not for his organisation. We will continue the fight relentlessly against Daesh, with our partners, adapting ourselves to new regional circumstances. |
| I congratulate our American allies for this operation. My thoughts today are for all the victims of the madness of Baghdadi and the criminals who have followed him. | I congratulate our American allies for this operation. My thoughts today are for all the victims of the madness of Baghdadi and the criminals who have followed him. |
| In statement to Reuters, Fahrettin Altun, a senior aide to president Tayyip Erdogan, said: | In statement to Reuters, Fahrettin Altun, a senior aide to president Tayyip Erdogan, said: |
| Turkey was proud to help the United States, our NATO ally, bring a notorious terrorist to justice ... We remember today Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s civilian victims and our military heroes, who lost their lives to protect the world from Daesh (Islamic State) terrorists. | Turkey was proud to help the United States, our NATO ally, bring a notorious terrorist to justice ... We remember today Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s civilian victims and our military heroes, who lost their lives to protect the world from Daesh (Islamic State) terrorists. |
| Turkey, which has been a bulwark against terrorism, will continue to work closely with the United States and others to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It is time to join forces and defeat all terrorist groups operating in the region without further delay. | Turkey, which has been a bulwark against terrorism, will continue to work closely with the United States and others to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It is time to join forces and defeat all terrorist groups operating in the region without further delay. |
| Here is a response from the UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab. | Here is a response from the UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab. |
| Following the death of Daesh’s leader, we must not allow Daesh to glorify someone who actioned such inhumane & abhorrent criminal acts. The UK will continue to support efforts to #DefeatDaesh | Following the death of Daesh’s leader, we must not allow Daesh to glorify someone who actioned such inhumane & abhorrent criminal acts. The UK will continue to support efforts to #DefeatDaesh |
| The Russian state-run RIA news agency is quoting the country’s ministry of defence saying it was not aware that they had provided any assistance to the US in the operation that targeted Baghdadi. | The Russian state-run RIA news agency is quoting the country’s ministry of defence saying it was not aware that they had provided any assistance to the US in the operation that targeted Baghdadi. |
| “We are unaware of any alleged assistance to the flying of US aviation into the airspace of the Idlib de-escalation zone during this operation,” major-general Igor Konashenkov is quoted as saying. | “We are unaware of any alleged assistance to the flying of US aviation into the airspace of the Idlib de-escalation zone during this operation,” major-general Igor Konashenkov is quoted as saying. |
| In his press conference an hour ago, Trump thanked Russia for their support. | In his press conference an hour ago, Trump thanked Russia for their support. |
| Trump has just given a press conference, speaking to reporters for nearly an hour. The US president confirmed reports that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in a US raid. Here is what we learned: | Trump has just given a press conference, speaking to reporters for nearly an hour. The US president confirmed reports that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in a US raid. Here is what we learned: |
| Trump watched from the White House situation room as US special operations forces carried out a nighttime raid on a compound in north western Syria yesterday. He said the operation started at around 5pm US time and it was “like watching a movie”. | Trump watched from the White House situation room as US special operations forces carried out a nighttime raid on a compound in north western Syria yesterday. He said the operation started at around 5pm US time and it was “like watching a movie”. |
| No US personnel were killed, but “a large number of Baghdadi’s fighters and companions were killed with him”. Trump said they would announce the exact number of deaths in due course. | No US personnel were killed, but “a large number of Baghdadi’s fighters and companions were killed with him”. Trump said they would announce the exact number of deaths in due course. |
| Baghdadi died after running into a dead-end tunnel with three of his children, “whimpering and crying and screaming all the way”, said Trump. He detonated a suicide vest, bringing the tunnel down around him and killing himself and the three children. | Baghdadi died after running into a dead-end tunnel with three of his children, “whimpering and crying and screaming all the way”, said Trump. He detonated a suicide vest, bringing the tunnel down around him and killing himself and the three children. |
| A DNA test was done immediately, confirming his identity. “It was him. The thug who tried so hard to intimidate others spent his last moments in utter fear, in total panic and dread,” said Trump. | A DNA test was done immediately, confirming his identity. “It was him. The thug who tried so hard to intimidate others spent his last moments in utter fear, in total panic and dread,” said Trump. |
| Trump said they had had Baghdadi under surveillance for a couple of weeks. The US landed with eight helicopters at the compound and blew holes in the side of the building, avoiding the main door because they knew it was boobytrapped. | Trump said they had had Baghdadi under surveillance for a couple of weeks. The US landed with eight helicopters at the compound and blew holes in the side of the building, avoiding the main door because they knew it was boobytrapped. |
| Trump said that two of Baghdadi’s wives were killed. They were wearing suicide vests, which were never detonated. | Trump said that two of Baghdadi’s wives were killed. They were wearing suicide vests, which were never detonated. |
| The US president said 11 children were removed from the compound alive and some people surrendered. He would not say how many survivors there were, but he said there were “more dead than alive”. | The US president said 11 children were removed from the compound alive and some people surrendered. He would not say how many survivors there were, but he said there were “more dead than alive”. |
| US forces were in the compound for two hours and seized “highly sensitive material and information” on Isis, said Trump. | US forces were in the compound for two hours and seized “highly sensitive material and information” on Isis, said Trump. |
| The president thanked the nations of Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iraq and the Syrian Kurds for their cooperation. He said that one of the most dangerous aspects of the mission was the flight in and the flight out. | The president thanked the nations of Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iraq and the Syrian Kurds for their cooperation. He said that one of the most dangerous aspects of the mission was the flight in and the flight out. |
| The US helicopters were shot at as they travelled to the compound, and returned fire, but Trump said it was thought to have been “local gunfire”. “They were terminated immediately,” he said. Trump said that Russia had known that US forces would be coming into northwest Syria but that they hadn’t been told why. | The US helicopters were shot at as they travelled to the compound, and returned fire, but Trump said it was thought to have been “local gunfire”. “They were terminated immediately,” he said. Trump said that Russia had known that US forces would be coming into northwest Syria but that they hadn’t been told why. |
| Trump said he knew of possible successors to Baghdadi as leader of Isis. | Trump said he knew of possible successors to Baghdadi as leader of Isis. |
| Asked about the decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, Trump said: | Asked about the decision to withdraw US troops from northern Syria, Trump said: |
| We don’t want to keep soldiers between Syria and Turkey for the next 200 years. They’ve been fighting for hundreds of years. We’re out. | We don’t want to keep soldiers between Syria and Turkey for the next 200 years. They’ve been fighting for hundreds of years. We’re out. |
| But we are leaving soldiers to secure the oil. And we might have to fight for the oil. It’s ok. Maybe somebody else wants the oil, in which case they have a hell of a fight. | But we are leaving soldiers to secure the oil. And we might have to fight for the oil. It’s ok. Maybe somebody else wants the oil, in which case they have a hell of a fight. |
| [...] What I intend to do perhaps is make a deal with ExxonMobil or one of our great companies to go in there and do it properly. | [...] What I intend to do perhaps is make a deal with ExxonMobil or one of our great companies to go in there and do it properly. |
| He said that European nations had been “a tremendous disappointment” because they hadn’t taken responsibility for their own Isis fighters. | He said that European nations had been “a tremendous disappointment” because they hadn’t taken responsibility for their own Isis fighters. |
| Trump said he would call the families of James Foley and Kayla Mueller, both of whom died after being held in Isis captivity. | Trump said he would call the families of James Foley and Kayla Mueller, both of whom died after being held in Isis captivity. |
| The British prime minister has responded to the news that Baghdadi has been killed. He described it as “an important moment in our fight against terror”, but warned that “the battle against the evil of Daesh is not yet over”. | The British prime minister has responded to the news that Baghdadi has been killed. He described it as “an important moment in our fight against terror”, but warned that “the battle against the evil of Daesh is not yet over”. |
| The death of Baghdadi is an important moment in our fight against terror but the battle against the evil of Daesh is not yet over.We will work with our coalition partners to bring an end to the murderous, barbaric activities of Daesh once and for all. | The death of Baghdadi is an important moment in our fight against terror but the battle against the evil of Daesh is not yet over.We will work with our coalition partners to bring an end to the murderous, barbaric activities of Daesh once and for all. |
| The White House has released these images of the president watching the operation against Baghdadi: | The White House has released these images of the president watching the operation against Baghdadi: |
| President @realDonaldTrump watches as U.S. Special Operations forces close in on ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. pic.twitter.com/SAgw4KxM77 | President @realDonaldTrump watches as U.S. Special Operations forces close in on ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. pic.twitter.com/SAgw4KxM77 |
| Last night, the United States brought the world’s number one terrorist leader to justice. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. | Last night, the United States brought the world’s number one terrorist leader to justice. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. |
| Last night was a great night for the United States and for the World. 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. | Last night was a great night for the United States and for the World. 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. |
| Trump says Baghdadi led his three children to death, detonating his suicide vest, which brought the tunnel they were in down around them. | Trump says Baghdadi led his three children to death, detonating his suicide vest, which brought the tunnel they were in down around them. |
| He says that he will call the families of James Foley and Kayla Mueller today. | He says that he will call the families of James Foley and Kayla Mueller today. |
| “He was an animal and he was a gutless animal,” says Trump. “Thank you very much. It’s a great day for our country”. | “He was an animal and he was a gutless animal,” says Trump. “Thank you very much. It’s a great day for our country”. |
| And that’s it. I’ll post a summary shortly. | And that’s it. I’ll post a summary shortly. |
| Trump says that before 9/11 he wrote a book in which he warned against the dangers of Osama bin Laden. “I didn’t get any credit. I never do,” he says. | Trump says that before 9/11 he wrote a book in which he warned against the dangers of Osama bin Laden. “I didn’t get any credit. I never do,” he says. |
| I said you have to kill him, you have to take him out and nobody ever listened to me ... Let’s put it this way, if they had listened to me a lot of things would have been different. | I said you have to kill him, you have to take him out and nobody ever listened to me ... Let’s put it this way, if they had listened to me a lot of things would have been different. |
| Asked about the US withdrawal from Syria, Trump says: “I don’t want to guard Turkey and Syria for the rest of our lives”. | Asked about the US withdrawal from Syria, Trump says: “I don’t want to guard Turkey and Syria for the rest of our lives”. |
| He adds: “I will secure the oil that happens to be in a certain part, but there’s tremendous money involved.” Trump says that Iraq discriminates against the US “despite all we’ve done” when it comes to oil leases. | He adds: “I will secure the oil that happens to be in a certain part, but there’s tremendous money involved.” Trump says that Iraq discriminates against the US “despite all we’ve done” when it comes to oil leases. |
| Trump returns to paying tribute to the US dog that was injured in the operation. “The canine, a beautiful dog, a talented dog, was injured and brought back,” he says. | Trump returns to paying tribute to the US dog that was injured in the operation. “The canine, a beautiful dog, a talented dog, was injured and brought back,” he says. |
| He says he and his team were gathered in the situation room at 5pm yesterday. The lift-off started moments later. He says that there were shots fired at the US helicopters as they were travelling towards the site and that the helicopters shot back. | He says he and his team were gathered in the situation room at 5pm yesterday. The lift-off started moments later. He says that there were shots fired at the US helicopters as they were travelling towards the site and that the helicopters shot back. |
| They conducted an on-site DNA test and brought body parts back with them. He says that positive identification of Baghdadi was made about 15 minutes later. | They conducted an on-site DNA test and brought body parts back with them. He says that positive identification of Baghdadi was made about 15 minutes later. |