Abu Ahmad claims he didn’t know his quiet neighbor next door was the elusive ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi until U.S. forces raided is compound Saturday.
President Trump announced Sunday that U.S. forces had killed Baghdadi in an operation that took place in the northern Syrian village of Barisha in Idlib province.
Ahmad explained Baghdadi was a quiet neighbor who only came outside early in the day or late at night. He claimed his neighbor made no effort to socialize with those around him.
“We used to invite him to our house but he would never come,” Ahmed claimed. “Even during holidays, we tried to build a relationship but it didn’t work.”
He noted that he was unaware women and children were living in the compound with Baghdadi.
Trump explained 11 children had been removed from the compound, though three were killed after being “dragged” by Baghdadi into the tunnels where he killed himself and the children by detonating an explosive vest.
Ahmed said that he believed Baghdadi was a merchant who had a shop in the Syrian capital of Aleppo.
“We have shared nothing with this man except greetings,” Ahmed said while explaining his failed attempts to befriend his neighbor.
Ahmed stated he first became aware of the raid when he heard soldiers shouting in a foreign language. He said an “attacking force” was unleashed just meters from his home, including gunfire and air support from planes overhead.
In total, nine people died as a result of the operation. No U.S. soldiers were seriously injured while completing their mission, though one military canine was injured.
