Washington: Fugitive Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed in a US military operation in northwest Syria, US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday.
Speaking from the White House, Trump said al-Baghdadi detonated his suicide vest during a raid by special forces late on Saturday.
US special forces executed a daring night-time raid and accomplished their mission in grand style, he said.
"He died after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering, crying and screaming all the way. The thug who tried so hard to intimidate others spent his last moments in utter fear, in total panic and dread, terrified of the American forces bearing down on him," Trump stated.
No US soldiers were killed in the operation but some Baghdadi's followers also perished with him, he added.
