US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper: 'Mission is defeating ISIS'

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark A. Milley addressed the press on the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. CJCS Milley stated that US Department of Defense confirmed Baghdadi's location 4 miles from the Turkish border in Idlib. The U.S. then coordinated with others in the region in order to mount the operation. 

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'Mission is defeating ISIS'

Esper commenting on the tactical takedown of Baghdadi stated, “acting as a police force to solve every dispute is not our mission.” Esper speaking about what the mission was stated, “mission is defeating ISIS and recent "posture changes" in Syria are in service of that mission.” The US Secretary of Defense further added that even though Baghdadi has been killed, the security situation in Syria remains complex. Esper acknowledged that Baghdadi’s death on its own would not finish off ISIS or the conflict in Syria. Esper further stated, "the United States possesses the power and the will to hunt to the ends of the Earth those who wish to bring harm to the American people." 

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Commenting on Turkey’s operation in Syria, Esper stated that Turkey had brought about “further instability to the region.” The US Secretary of Defence further went on blame Turkey for causing conflict with the Kurds and added, “The US will retain control of the oil fields in North-Eastern Syria.” The US Defense Secretary had commended all those who participated in and supported the operation. Esper was present in the situation room along with US President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Army general Mark Milley, and few others to watch the raid live. “With our partners, we defeated the physical caliphate of ISIS earlier this year and now its founder and leader is dead. This is a major victory in the enduring defeat ISIS mission,” said Esper.

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Details of the operation

US President Donald Trump, speaking about the operation to take down Baghdadi, stated that a large number of fighters were involved in the special operation who flew over the hostile region with eight helicopters. Trump said that many other ships and planes were involved in the mission but did not tell any specific number. He continuously emphasised, during the address, that it was a ‘large group’ and the helicopters also took some shots since they were flying low. Baghdadi was in a compound in northwestern Syria with aides and family members. The forces blew holes in the building knowing that most of the tunnels connected to the building were dead-ends. Baghdadi was holed out in a tunnel where he dragged three children with him and blew himself up.

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(With inputs from agencies)