Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that US special operators killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The reclusive ISIS leader was the target of a Saturday raid in Idlib, in northwestern Syria, a somewhat surprising location given the area is controlled by rival jihadists belonging to a spinoff of al-Qaeda’s former Syria arm.
Trump’s speech was extraordinary to say the least. “It was incredible. I got to watch much of it”, the president said of the raid, carried out by Delta Force.
Trump described the operation in the most graphic terms imaginable, going so far as to detail the death of three small children.
“[Al-Baghdadi] died after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming all the way”, a giddy Trump said.
The president elaborated further, describing how al-Baghdadi took three children with him into the tunnel, only to blow them (and himself) up once cornered.
“And he had dragged three of his young children with him. They were led to certain death”, Trump continued, in a totally unnecessary tangent. “He reached the end of the tunnel as our dogs chased him down”.
“He ignited his vest, killing himself and the three children. His body was mutilated by the blast”, he went on to say. “The tunnel had caved in on it in addition”.
“The thug who tried so hard to intimidate others spent his last moments it utter fear, in total panic and dread”, the president said.
Later, after telling the story another two or three times, Trump said Baghdadi “died like a dog”.
The president also suggested he might release the actual video of the raid so prospective ISIS recruits can watch it.
The raid was reportedly launched from Erbil, in Iraq. That the US didn’t use Incirlik (in Turkey) speaks to deteriorating relations between Washington and Ankara, although the Turkish military was aware of the raid.
Trump thanked the Syrian Kurds for what he described as non-military support. He also heaped effusive praise on Russia, who Trump says were notified and allowed the US to use the airspace. “I do appreciate Russia, Turkey, Iraq and Syria, to a certain extent”, he said.
One US military service dog was injured in the operation, Trump lamented. “Nobody was even hurt. Our canine as they call it, was injured”. Trump explained. “I call it a dog”.
Read more: Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi Is Dead. Only For Real This Time
The World Wrestling Federation president. I suspect Commandant Bonespurs will not be an example of courage when faced with his moment of truth . #MAGA