Footage released by the Pentagon shows the raid undertaken by U.S. Special Operations forces in Syria that ended the life of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The first of the videos made available to the pubic on Wednesday shows American troops approaching the terrorist’s compound as U.S. forces blasted open the walls protecting it.
During the infiltration, air aviation engaged on-the-ground fighters who demonstrated “hostile intent” against U.S. forces.
Once Baghdadi was ex-filtrated, U.S. forces scoured the scene for electronics and secured a trove. They then employed precision munitions from a Remotely Piloted Aircraft to destroy the compound and its contents.
President Trump announced Baghdadi’s death on Sunday, claiming he died “whimpering and crying” by detonating a suicide vest as American forces closed in on him. The detonation also killed two of his children. Earlier reports claimed three children were killed.
“A large number of Baghdadi’s fighters and companions were killed with him. He died after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming all the way,” the president said. “He had dragged three of his young children with him. They were led to certain death.”
After Baghdadi’s death, American forces picked through the rubble left from the collapsed tunnel to identify his body. The Pentagon believes 10-15 people were killed in the raid but does not have exact casualty numbers yet.
