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'Zero Bark Thirty': dog that took part in al-Baghdadi raid hailed a hero Trump tweets photo of 'wonderful' dog that took part in Baghdadi raid
(about 2 hours later)
A dog credited with hunting down Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been hailed as a “good boy” – despite reportedly being a female – after it was injured in the raid in Syria on Saturday. Donald Trump has tweeted a photo of a dog that took part in the raid targeting Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
On Sunday president Donald Trump said a “beautiful” and “talented” dog had chased the Islamic State leader inside his Syrian compound, moments before he detonated a suicide vest. The “wonderful” Belgian Malinois was injured when Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest on Saturday night inside his Syrian compound.
On Monday, the full image of the “wonderful” Belgian Malinois was made public. In a tweet, Trump said he had declassified the image of the dog, but not her name. Trump said he had declassified the image of the dog, but not its name. However, a Newsweek report citing multiple sources said the dog’s name is Conan – after the comedian Conan O’Brien – and is a female.
Syrian Kurds say spy stole Baghdadi’s underpants for DNA test On Sunday the US president had the hailed the dog as a “good boy”, “beautiful” and “talented”, who had chased down Baghdadi moments before he detonated his vest. The dog sustained minor injuries and was being treated by vets.
But according to a report in Newsweek, citing multiple Pentagon sources, the dog’s name is Conan – after the comedian Conan O’Brien – and is female. Baghdadi, one of the world’s most wanted men, died during a US operation in the Syrian province of Idlib.
Baghdadi, one of the world’s most wanted men, died on Saturday night during a US operation in the Syrian province of Idlib. Cornered by US forces, the 48-year-old detonated a suicide vest – killing himself and three children. “We have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB,” Trump wrote on Monday.
“We have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB,” Trump wrote.
We have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB in capturing and killing the Leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi! pic.twitter.com/PDMx9nZWvwWe have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB in capturing and killing the Leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi! pic.twitter.com/PDMx9nZWvw
The dog sustained minor injuries and was being treated by vets.
News of the role played by the animal spread across social media, with many Twitter users hailing the dog as a hero.
whenever the hero dog isn't in my twitter feed, all the other characters should be asking, "where's the hero dog?" pic.twitter.com/EGFvYTn4kI
zero bark thirty send tweet https://t.co/qWKT0411mb
we live in a dream https://t.co/r5dzgDXqRh
Hearing from Defense Department sources that Conan, the dog wounded from the special operations #Syria raid which resulted in the death of #Baghdadi is named after @ConanOBrien the comedian versus the barbarian. https://t.co/0t8GymvCYB
Others took the news with a pinch of salt.
I have declassified this picture of my dog. pic.twitter.com/8AQRxgE5jE
For security purposes, the identity of my ‘canine’ remains classified. pic.twitter.com/SdHgp2QpJ9
Doubts have been raised over some of Trump’s descriptions of the US operation – but not the dog’s role.
Speculation about the dog’s identity began after Trump dropped details of the pooch in his press conference. He told media on Sunday: “Our K-9, as they call – I call it a dog, a beautiful dog, a talented dog – was injured and brought back.”
At a press conference on Monday, General Mark Milley, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff told reporters: “We’re not releasing the name of the dog right now … the dog is still in theatre.”At a press conference on Monday, General Mark Milley, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff told reporters: “We’re not releasing the name of the dog right now … the dog is still in theatre.”
The defence secretary, Mark Esper, said the dog “performed a tremendous service, as they all do”.The defence secretary, Mark Esper, said the dog “performed a tremendous service, as they all do”.
The US military commonly uses the Belgian Malinois to guide and protect troops, search out enemy forces and look for explosives. The breed is prized for its intelligence and ability to be aggressive on command, said Ron Aiello, president of the United States War Dogs Association.The US military commonly uses the Belgian Malinois to guide and protect troops, search out enemy forces and look for explosives. The breed is prized for its intelligence and ability to be aggressive on command, said Ron Aiello, president of the United States War Dogs Association.
“That’s the kind of dog you want to lead a patrol like this,” said Aiello, a former Marine dog handler whose organisation helps active duty and retired military dogs. “They are the first line of defence. They go out front.”“That’s the kind of dog you want to lead a patrol like this,” said Aiello, a former Marine dog handler whose organisation helps active duty and retired military dogs. “They are the first line of defence. They go out front.”
Not releasing the name makes sense as a security precaution for the same reason you wouldn’t identify the troops who take part in the raid, he said. “There could be retaliation.”Not releasing the name makes sense as a security precaution for the same reason you wouldn’t identify the troops who take part in the raid, he said. “There could be retaliation.”
A Belgian Malinois service dog named Cairo accompanied US Navy SEALs in the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida, in Pakistan. President Barack Obama met the canine at a ceremony to honour the commandos.A Belgian Malinois service dog named Cairo accompanied US Navy SEALs in the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaida, in Pakistan. President Barack Obama met the canine at a ceremony to honour the commandos.
Abu Bakr al-BaghdadiAbu Bakr al-Baghdadi
SyriaSyria
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and North Africa
Islamic StateIslamic State
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