There are many rumors spreading throughout ISIS-held territory right now that ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed. Unfortunately, it’s just a rumor:
An Iraqi media outlet is claiming the death of ISIS leader Baghdadi is confirmed. It's not. There is as yet no ISIS statement to that effect
— Rukmini Callimachi (@rcallimachi) July 11, 2017
Now here’s the KICKASS response from the Operation Inherent Resolve press office:
This may be the best written press statement I've ever received from the US military. (From @CJTFOIR on reported death of the #ISIS leader). pic.twitter.com/3dNyi9zW2u
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) July 11, 2017
Lieutenant General Stephen J. Townsend added that if he’s not dead now, “he will be”:
@CJTFOIR Cmdr LTG Townsend reaffirms US does not know where #ISIS leader Baghdadi is or whether he is alive or dead, says hopes the latter
— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) July 11, 2017
"Don't have proof of life" for #ISIS leader Baghdadi, per @CJTFOIR LTG Townsend "Hope he's deader than a doornail", adding if not he will be
— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) July 11, 2017
According to journalist Jenan Moussa, ISIS fighters are angry with al-Baghdadi’s silence:
1/ I'm near to Raqqa. Obviously I can't confirm if alBaghdadi is dead. But this is what I heard about him from people fleeing Raqqa. @akhbar
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 11, 2017
2/ I had excl access in NSyria to captured foreign ISIS fighter from Raqqa. He said: "Fighters very angry about alBaghdadi's total silence."
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 11, 2017
The terrorists are having a sad that their leader has abandoned them in their time of need:
3/ ISIS fighter continued: "We expected speech by Baghdadi during Mosul &Raqqa attacks. Leader must speak to his people in times of stress."
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 11, 2017
Think of the families!
4/ ISIS fighters said: "There are many families of foreign fighters in IS territory. Baghdadi should ease their worries, come up with plan"
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 11, 2017
5/ ISIS fighter: "We heard rumors of Baghdadi's death b4 but no evidence. We assumed he's in deep hiding, disconnected from ground reality."
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 11, 2017
And it sounds like all of the leaders have fled to safety:
6/ Only plan was to evacuate important ISIS families, commanders &ISIS administrations to al-Mayadeen to avoid Raqqa onslaught.
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 11, 2017
7/ ISIS fighter continues: "The leadership is safe but rest of ISIS fighters with families &civilians were just left behind to die in Raqqa"
— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) July 11, 2017
How brave of them.
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