RELATIVES of victims murdered by Islamic State have declared the death of its elusive leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, a “victory”. In spite of what is undoubtedly a major setback for the organisation, though, experts have warned IS remains a dangerous, global threat.
Families of IS victims are pleased?
President Donald Trump said relatives of US citizens murdered by IS called his death a “signifiant step” and a “victory”. He said the “murder of innocent Americans Jim Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller were especially heinous”.
And Art and Shirley Sotloff said in a statement: “While this victory will not bring our beloved Steven back to us, it is a significant step in the campaign against ISIS.”
But they want more justice?
James Foley’s mother, Diane, said she was “grateful to our president and brave troops for finding ISIS leader al-Baghdadi”, adding that she hoped this “will hinder the resurgence of terror groups” as she said she would “pray that captured ISIS fighters will be brought to trial and held accountable”.
Who was Baghdadi?
The Iraqi-born leader of terrorist organisation, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also known as ISIL, ISIS, IS and Daesh.
When did he take charge?
Around 2010, with Baghdadi responsible for the reign of terror that saw IS spread across Iraq and Syria, controlling 88,000 sq km of territory, imposing its barbaric rule over almost eight million people, with tens of thousands displaced.
Their acts shocked the world?
Baghdadi ruled as IS perpetrated savage acts, including beheadings, rapes and executions via stoning, burning and hacking. He directed terrorist actions and massacres, producing videos of the savage violence that were released as propaganda.
One such clip featured the beheading of Scots aid worker, David Haines, who was murdered in September 2014.
Baghdadi was the world’s most wanted man?
In 2011, the US State Department placed a $10 million bounty on his head, with the price raised to $25 million two years ago.
He killed himself?
In a press conference at the White House, Trump said Baghdadi, 48, “spent his last moments in utter fear, in total panic and dread” as a US military dog pursued him and three of his children down a dead-end tunnel.
Cornered, he detonated his suicide vest, killing himself, his children and injuring the “beautiful” and “talented” dog, the President said.
The US gathered “highly sensitive” IS documents?
Trump said special forces gathered material about IS during the raid on the compound in north-western Syria, including details about its future plans.
But experts fear it is far from over?
The President said “this was the big one…this is the one that built ISIS…and was looking to rebuild it again. Very, very strongly looking to build it again."
And Chris Costa, a former senior director for counter-terrorism for the National Security Council in the Trump administration, said: "The bottom line is, this puts the enemy on its heels, but the ideology - and this sounds so cliched - is not dead.”
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