Published 17:12 IST, October 29th 2019
Spy stole Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's underwear for DNA identification
Syrian Kurds said that they obtained ISIS' Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's underwear by an undercover agent to ascertain his identity with a DNA test prior to US raids.
Syrian Kurds claimed that they obtained ISIS caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's underwear by an undercover agent to ascertain the identity of the terrorist by conducting a DNA test, that subsequently stimulated the US raid in Syria. According to reports, the spy was placed amid the inner circle of Baghdadi, who then eventually led the US troops to the ISIS chief who died "after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering, crying, and screaming all the way," as per the US President Donald Trump.
The Syrian Kurds led- Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) claimed to have played a consequential role in tracking down the ISIS chief to a compound in north Syria's Idlib. A senior consultant to the Syrian Kurds forces, Polat Can intricately detailed how the SDF intelligence aided the US Forces to locate the al-Baghdadi.
In a series of tweets, he said:
Through our own sources, we managed to confirm that Al Baghdadi had moved from Al Dashisha area in Deir Al Zor to Idlib. Since 15 May, we have been working together with the CIA to track Al Baghdadi and monitor him closely. One of our sources was able to reach the house where Al Baghdadi was hiding. Al Baghdadi changed his places of residence very often. He was about to move to a new place in Jerablus.
Our own source, who had been able to reach Al Baghdadi, brought Al Baghdadi’s underwear to conduct a DNA test and make sure (100%) that the person in question was Al Baghdadi himself. More than a month ago, the decision was made to eliminate Al Baghdadi. However, the US withdrawal and the Turkish invasion prompted us to stop our special operations, including the pursuit of Al Baghdadi. The Turkish invasion caused a delay in the operation.
All intelligence and access to Al Baghdadi as well as the identification of his place were the results 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. All armed groups and elements surrounding the village of Barisha were Daesh (ISIS) terrorists, operating under various names. In the airdrop operation, all their military posts and positions were targeted.
Terrorist Abu al-Hassan was on a special mission to Jerablus to secure Al Baghdadi’s transfer to his new home. There was a plan B to target Al Baghdadi in his new home if he had moved before the planned strike in Barisha. Abu al-Hassan was closely monitored by SDF intelligence. According to the US President, al-Baghdadi detonated his suicide vest, killing three of his children along with him after the US closed in on the compound.
Trump minimises Syrian Kurds' effort
While SDF categorically stated that it was their intelligence that led the US to Baghdadi, Trump during his address downplayed their effort and said that the Syrian Kurds provided some information "that turned out to be helpful" to the raid that killed the most wanted terrorist. However, Donald Trump thanked Russia, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq for the raid, thus soft-pedaling the role of Syrian Kurds in locating Baghdadi.
Trump became a recipient of disapprobation after his abrupt, overnight decision to withdraw US troops from the Turkey-Syria border, giving Ankara a green light for military incursions against the US allies, Syrian Kurds, who braved a fight against the so-called Islamic State. While Trump gloated over the death of Baghdadi under his regime, experts have claimed that over 100 ISIS fighters are reportedly on a loose after escaping prisons in Syria, after the US President's decision to withdraw troops.
Updated 17:31 IST, October 29th 2019