I'd heard rumors that HaD was re-engaging with #ISIS's now vulnerable leadership. It's quite possible this is why #Baghdadi was in #Idlib.
It's *much* more likely that he was there to meet high-level jihadists - either #ISIS allies or #AlQaeda/#HaD figures looking to talk/mediate.
That opens up the possibility that #Turkey was in-the-loop. Remember, @VP #Pence was there 10 days ago.
Both those strikes targeted members of an "ultra-extremist" HaD wing...
Rumors I'd heard is the latter were attempting to re-engage with #ISIS, to explore a detente.
Other rumors - linked also to targeted assassination of senior #AlQaeda figures in #Idlib - have blamed #HTS for "leaking" & "betraying" AQ targets.
Implication: Was there an #HTS -> #Turkey/#MIT -> CIA intel link here? Maybe.
That's very likely.
And bear in mind where much of #Turkey's intel on #Idlib comes from these days: (3) #HTS.
In hostile territory, that [almost certainly] doesn't happen without someone telling people: "leave them alone" - #Turkey.
That gives us more of an indication on (1) why he was likely there (temporarily, for a meeting/s) & (2) how he was detected (on the move, w. smugglers, thru #SDF territory?)
IMO, that strengthens possibility that Huras al-Din figures were involved.
Thread 1:
Thread 2:
Article, w. @ColinPClarke: foreignpolicy.com/2019/09/04/al-…
By all accounts, this was a seriously complex operation fraught with risk, yet total success & no losses.
Bravo!
My comments to @FT:
ft.com/content/24215a…
Me to @Independent:
independent.co.uk/news/world/mid…
1. #Idlib is not "AQ-controlled."
BUT,
2. The border strip around #Barisha is; has been a long time.
#HTS has been combating #ISIS in #Idlib for 1.5yrs = 100s of #ISIS killed & captured. #HTS sources are *celebrating* #Baghdadi's death, but mourning the fact that they weren't responsible.
... & #HTS, who captured a #Baghdadi aide & it seems, fed intel to #Turkey.
reuters.com/article/us-mid…
Joint #Iraq-US intel work then concluded #Baghdadi was living with a Huras al-Din/#AlQaeda (HaD) commander.
theguardian.com/world/2019/oct…