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Slotkin Statement on Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

October 27, 2019

WASHINGTON –– U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) released the following statement following the announcement for the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State. Slotkin, a former CIA officer who served three tours in Iraq, served as a senior Pentagon official and helped to form the international Counter-ISIS coalition after the terrorist group took over large parts of Iraq in 2014.

"This morning President Trump announced that U.S. Special Forces killed the leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi," Slotkin said. "Baghdadi is responsible for the killing of thousands of people, the deaths of American service members and civilians -- including journalists and civilian aid workers -- in Iraq and Syria."

"Our special forces and intelligence community have long been pursuing Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and his death is a significant moment in the campaign against ISIS. Baghdadi was first detained by U.S. forces in Iraq in 2004, for his involvement in attacks against American forces. In 2010, he became the leader of ISIS and in 2014 he came out of hiding and made a rare appearance to declare the ISIS caliphate in Iraq and Syria. He has been a top target ever since."

"I want to recognize the men and women of the U.S. special forces and the U.S. intelligence community. As a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official, I am deeply aware of the significant work that goes on, by both uniformed and civilian personnel, in planning and executing such a complex and dangerous mission. Our defense and intelligence community has been collecting information to inform this mission for many years. Our success was aided by partner forces, who provided essential information and access to the area of operations, a reminder of how international partnerships are critical to our national security."