ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is believed to have been killed in a raid conducted by the US military in northwest Syria on Saturday, according to a senior US defense official and a source with knowledge. The final confirmation is pending while DNA and biometric testing is conducted, both sources tell CNN.

The defense official said it appears that Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest during the raid.

The raid was carried out by special operations commandos, a source familiar with the operation told CNN.



A US official told The Associated Press that the ISIL leader was targeted in Syria's Idlib province. Another US official confirmed to Reuters news agency that the operation took place but did not disclose details and did not say whether it was successful.

Newsweek, citing a US Army official briefed on the result of the operation, said al-Baghdadi was killed in the raid.

US President Donald Trump plans to make a "major statement" at the White House at 9 am EST (1300 GMT) on Sunday, White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said on Saturday.

Earlier, Trump tweeted: "Something very big has just happened!"



Al Jazeera's Natasha Ghoneim, reporting from Baghdad, said a lot of people would be relieved to hear of al-Baghdadi's death, if true.

"Analysts say the death will have a significant impact on the group. It will possibly weaken the group and, at least for a short period of time, until another leader is announced, they might be disorientated," she said.

On Sunday, the commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Sunday a "successful operation" resulted from joint intelligence work with the US, in an apparent reference to the reports surrounding al-Baghdadi

"An historic, successful operation as a result of joint intelligence work with the United States of America," Mazloum Abdi said on Twitter.

Source: https://focusnaija.com.ng/2019/10/27/dreaded-isis-leader-al-baghdadi-reportedly-killed-by-us-forces-in-syria-raid/

Hope he is not like shekau that doesnt die

This is good news ..chopping off the snakes head , the extremist would be in disarray right now.

P.s: Boko haram , ur days are numbered .. The new ISIS leader might careless about you guys !

And we've be fighting boko haram for the past 5 years ehn!

We

The fear of USA SEALS Commando puts fear even in dey heart of animals in human skin