Guardian, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in US raid, Trump confirms "Trump said the “impeccable” two-hour operation was conducted on Saturday night in the province of Idlib, one of the few areas of the country still outside Syrian regime control, and that US officials had confirmed Baghdadi, 48, was among those killed."
Mina Al-Lami's thread is important on this subject.
gov.uk, UK Government statement on death of Daesh’s leader "The death of Baghdadi is a significant milestone in the coalition’s work to defeat Daesh but it is not the end of the threat." [Dominic Raab]
AFP/al-Monitor, After Baghdadi raid, Syria villagers tell of quiet neighbour
Laura Seligman, Foreign Policy, Baghdadi is Dead, But ISIS Remains Emboldened Since Trump’s Drawdown "But while Baghdadi’s death marks a blow to the group, the Islamic State still poses a threat in Syria, particularly since hundreds of its fighters and their family members escaped detention during a Turkish-backed incursion this month that upended months of relative calm in the northeastern part of the country, officials and experts said."
Salam Bustanji, al-Bawaba, Austere Religious Scholar or Terrorist in Chief? Washington Post Under Fire for Sugar Coating ISIS Leader Baghdadi "The Washington Post published an article entitled ‘Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, austere religious scholar at helm of Islamic State, dies at 48’ before changing it to ‘Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, extremist leader of Islamic State, dies at 48’ following a massive backlash from social media users. "
al Jazeera, World reacts to death of ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
al Jazeera, Southeast Asia expects long fight against ISIL influence "The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia - home to some of Asia's most organised fighters - said on Monday they were braced for retaliation by ISIL loyalists, including "lone wolf" attacks by locals radicalised by the group's powerful online propaganda."
Mirror, Donald Trump was told of 'jackpot' ISIS leader kill after watching 'like a movie'
"Thousands of miles away in the safety of the White House Trump watched the dramatic military action unfold.
"I don't want to say how, but we had absolutely perfect -- as though you were watching a movie."
Times, Media-savvy figurehead changed face of terrorism"He [Baghdadi] had provided a catalyst that drew disenchanted and angry Muslims from around the world to his caliphate, many of them taking up the mantle of recruitment and propaganda themselves. As Isis atrocities piled up, the videos grew slicker and glossier, with the voiceovers often read by Americans and Britons. Many of them called for Isis sympathisers outside the caliphate to launch attacks in their home countries and their calls were answered."
NBC, Kurdish informant provided key intel in operation that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi "The informant proved to U.S. intelligence that he had direct access to Baghdadi this summer by turning over the ISIS leader's used underwear and a sample of his blood."
Guardian, Visual guide to the raid that killed Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi "The US began to receive intelligence on the whereabouts of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi about a month ago, according to Donald Trump. Intelligence officials were able to scope out his exact location – near the village of Barisha in north-west Syria – two weeks ago, and Trump was made aware of the planned raid at the end of last week."
CJ Werleman, Byline Times, British Muslims are Celebrating the Death of ISIS' Leader – but will we Read About that in the Newspapers? "Abu Bakr-Baghdadi is dead – and Muslims couldn’t be happier. That’s the truth that will go unreported."

Tags: 'Islamic State'