President Donald J. Trump on Sunday morning confirmed that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State’s leader, was killed in an American special forces operation in northwestern Syria the previous night.
“He died like a dog. He died like a coward,” Trump said, after explaining that the terrorist leader detonated a suicide vest to kill himself and three children.
“[al-Baghdadi] died after running into a dead end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming all the way.” – @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/5GGcAGFx0s
— Trump War Room (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TrumpWarRoom) October 27, 2019
Reactions poured in from across the nation on Sunday, including from members of Alabama’s congressional delegation.
In a statement to Yellowhammer News, Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) said, “When President Trump took office in 2017, ISIS was still a very serious threat and American efforts to eradicate the group were not getting the job done. But under President Trump’s leadership, our military leaders and our service members were given the authority and the tools they needed to decimate ISIS.”
“The death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is the culmination of this effort and will help to save American lives,” he concluded.
Last night was a victory for America & the civilized world & a blow to ISIS. Our brave forces who carried out this mission are held in the hearts of a grateful nation. I congratulate President Trump & our military leaders. They deserve great credit & our thanks. They have mine
— Doug Jones (@DougJones) October 27, 2019
In a tweet, Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-01) said, “Thanks to President [Trump] and our men and women in uniform for making it clear that if you attack and threaten our country, you WILL be destroyed. America and the entire world is safer now that Baghdadi has been eliminated.”
Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03), the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, stated, “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s death should serve as a lesson to any would-be terror leaders around the world that seek to target the United States and our citizens.“
In a further statement, Byrne said, “Today is an important milestone in the global war on terror and the result of years of effort to bring al-Baghdadi down. A clear, unmistakable message has been sent across the globe that America will not tolerate hate and terrorism.”
“Thank you to President Trump for his leadership as well as our incredible service members and intelligence professionals. As we celebrate, we offer our sincere thanks to those whose sacrifices keep our great nation protected,” Byrne added.
News of the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi by US special forces is a victory for our nation and yet another important step in our fight against ISIS. Grateful for the intelligence professionals & courageous servicemembers who carried out this mission & fight to keep America safe.
— Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) October 27, 2019
This article will be updated as reaction comes in.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
