This Progressive Delivered a Brutal Fact Check for Those Politicizing the Texas Floods
Here's the Gross Anti-Trump Narrative Libs Are Peddling About the Horrific Flash Floods...
Vile Weed: Legalization and What Is Left in Its Wake
Fossil Fooled: Lives vs. Lies
A Quick Bible Study Vol. 275: ‘Psalm Summer 2025’ Part 2
Jew or True?
Hollywood Elites Melt Down Over Trump's BBB
Trump Declares Major Disaster in Texas After Devastating Storms and Flooding
NORAD Fighter Jet Intercepts General Aviation Plane After Multiple Airspace Violates Trump...
Fourth of July Protests Turn Violent As Leftist Activists Confront ICE, Burn Property
Operation Apex Hammer: Over 200 Criminals Arrested
Harris Faces Backlash Over Grim July Fourth Post and Apparent Biden Snub
Red, White, and Divided: Poll Shows Stark Partisan Split on Patriotism
Where to Look for Advice on Iran
Elon Musk Offers an Update on His Plans to Form a Third Party
Tipsheet

Here's How The CIA Learned About al-Baghdadi's Whereabouts

AP Photo/Militant video, File

President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He died during a secret nighttime mission Saturday night Eastern Standard Time.

Advertisement

According to the New York Times, the CIA learned about al-Baghdadi's location in northwestern Syria after arresting and interrogating one of his wives and a courier earlier this summer. The intelligence agency then worked with Iraqi and Kurdish intelligence officials in Iraq and Syria to narrow down his location. The group did this by placing spies to monitor al-Baghdadi's movements.

From the Times:

The initial planning for the raid began this past summer. The Army’s elite Delta Force commando unit began drawing up and rehearsing plans to conduct a secret mission to kill or capture the ISIS leader, and faced huge hurdles. The location was deep inside territory controlled by Al Qaeda. The skies over that part of the country were controlled by Syria and Russia. The military called off missions at the last minute at least twice.

“It wasn’t until Thursday and then Friday the president chose his option and gave us the green light to proceed as we did yesterday,” Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper said on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday.

Advertisement

When President Trump announced American forces would be vacating northern Syria, Pentagon officials "were forced to press ahead with a risky, night raid before their ability to control troops and spies and reconnaissance aircraft disappeared, according to military, intelligence and counterterrorism officials."

One official told the Times Syrian and Iraqi Kurds provided the most intelligence for the raid, more than any single country. During his address, President Trump thanked Russia, Turkey, Syria, Iraq and the Syrian Kurds for helping with the mission. 

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement