Thread by @jseldin

Reports #ISIS leader Abu Bakr al #Baghdadi may have been killed in #Idlib #Syria shouldn't come as a complete surprise-at least the location

In July, a @UN report warned senior ISIS leaders "are among those who have made their way to the #Idlib area..."

https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1155907686615199746?s=20

@UN Abu Bakr al #Baghdadi most recent messages: a video from April 29 & an audio message from September 16

But for someone like Baghdadi sending out messages always comes with a risk...

After the release of the audio in September, BrigGen Len Anderson, deputy commander of JTF-Ares, told VOA:
"The more videos that come out gives us, quite honestly, another opportunity to assess, to see what #ISIS leadership is thinking & maybe gather some intelligence from that"

Our story on the release of the audio message in September:
voanews.com/middle-east/is…

Per @JihadoScope, #ISIS supporters on social media warning other followers to be wary of Western news reports...but that if the reports are true, #Baghdadi fulfilled his duty for martyrdom

https://twitter.com/JihadoScope/status/1188330226167812097

@JihadoScope Both #SDF & #Turkey claim they helped w/US op near #Barisha in #Idlin province #Syria that may have killed #ISIS' Abu Bakr al Baghdadi

"...due to a joint intelligence work..." per SDF's @MazloumAbdi

"...information exchange and coordination..." per @tcsavunma

@JihadoScope @MazloumAbdi @tcsavunma MORE: #SDF officials are planning to share more details about their role in the raid after @POTUS's upcoming announcement

@JihadoScope @MazloumAbdi @tcsavunma @POTUS "Successful and effective operation by our forces is yet another proof of SDF's anti-terror capability" per #SDF spox @mustefabali "We continue to work with our partners in the global @coalition in the fight against ISIS terrorism"

https://twitter.com/mustefabali/status/1188372866007519232

@JihadoScope @MazloumAbdi @tcsavunma @POTUS @mustefabali @coalition JUST IN: #SDF Commander @MazloumAbdi appears to confirm #ISIS leader Abu Bakr al #Baghdadi has been "eliminated" following months of intelligence work

@JihadoScope @MazloumAbdi @tcsavunma @POTUS @mustefabali @coalition NEW: Former top US intel official on the raid that allegedly targeted #ISIS leader #Baghdadi "no concerns about being too close to #Turkey"

"If they [US special forces] got him, it’s a big deal, simply because of the symbolic importance of Baghdadi" adds ex DNI James Clapper

Cautionary note about impact of possible death of #ISIS leader Abu Bakr al #Baghdadi

"ISIS has been more de-centralized, and has groomed leaders for just this eventuality" per former DNI Clapper

BREAKING: Confirmation from #SDF Cmdr @MazloumAbdi in English on op "to kill" #ISIS leader

"For five months there has been joint intel cooperation on the ground and accurate monitoring, until we achieved a joint operation to kill Abu Bakir al-Bagdadi"

https://twitter.com/MazloumAbdi/status/1188430970564874240

@MazloumAbdi .@syriahr reporting at least 9 people killed in the US raid on a compound in #Barisha #Syria, including 2 women and 1 child

It also says #ISIS emir Abu al-Yaman, who appeared in the last video w/Abu Bakr al #Baghdadi was one of the targets

syriahr.com/en/?p=145453

@MazloumAbdi @syriahr Breaking: US official confirms to @VOANews' @CarlaBabbVOA the US targeted #ISIS leader Abu Bakr al #Baghdadi last night in #Syria's #Idlib province and that Baghdadi blew himself up with a suicide vest