The Russian military reported on Friday they believe they killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Russian Defence Ministry reports about the elimination of a number of leaders of ISIS in #SYRIA by Aerospace Forces https://t.co/JHxrvGPRLm
— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) June 16, 2017
The Russian military released images of the Islamic State’s command post where the leadership meeting took place in al-Raqqa, Syria.
#Syria #Russia
Elimination of #ISIS’ command post in #Raqqa during terrorist leaders’ meeting https://t.co/JHxrvGygTO pic.twitter.com/EENwXNeawd— Минобороны России (@mod_russia) June 16, 2017
Russia Today reported:
Russian Su-34 aircraft and an Su-35 multirole fighter carried out airstrikes near the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria on May 28, the ministry said. The strikes targeted a meeting of high-ranking Islamic State chiefs where al-Baghdadi was reportedly present.
The meeting was gathered to plan “routes for the exit of militants from Raqqa through the so-called ‘southern corridor’,” the statement read.
“According to information, which is being checked through various channels, IS leader Ibrahim Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi was also present at the meeting and was killed as a result of the strike,” the ministry said in a statement.
Among those who were killed in the strike were Emir of Raqqa Abu al-Haji al-Masri, Emir Ibrahim al-Naef al-Hajj, “who controlled the district from the city of Raqqa to the settlement of es-Sohne” and IS head of security Suleiman al-Sawah,” the ministry added.
The Russian Military wrote about the operation on Facebook and translated it to English.
Over 300 ISIS fighters were reportedly killed in the strike.
Russia claims the Americans were notified beforehand.
