Published 11:39 IST, October 30th 2019
ISIS insider who disclosed details on Baghdadi may get $25 million
An ISIS operative played a key role in the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi after elite US forces raided a compound in northwestern Syria.
An ISIS operative played a key role in the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi after elite US forces raided a compound in northwestern Syria on October 27. The ISIS insider helped the extremist leader to move around Syria and oversaw the construction work of his safe house, an American daily quoted US and Middle East-based officials. The ISIS operative had detailed knowledge about the Syrian safe house and was even present in the compound during the raid.
Expected to get the bounty
According to officials, the insider is expected to get some or all of the $25 million US bounty announced for Baghdadi. The nationality of the mole is not known but an official told the American daily that he was a Sunni Arab and wanted revenge from ISIS as one of his relatives was killed by the terror group.
SDF sources in Syrian safe house
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had confirmed that one of their sources was able to reach Baghdadi’s Syrian safe house. In a series of tweets, senior SDF official Polat Can claimed that the source was able to bring Al Baghdadi’s underwear to conduct a DNA test in order to make sure that the person was Al Baghdadi himself.
“All intelligence and access to Al Baghdadi as well as the identification of his place, were the result of our own work. Our intelligence source was involved in sending coordinates, directing the airdrop, participating in and making the operation a success until the last minute,” said the official.
Trump confirmed on Kurdish inputs
US President Donald Trump, during the briefing on Baghdadi’s death, said that the Kurds provided some information that turned out to be helpful, but didn’t elaborate on the information. 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.
Updated 12:36 IST, October 30th 2019