Trump directed the Syria raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Date: 2019-10-26
Entry type: cross-border-use-of-force
Current status: Documented cross-border use of force; no civilian-harm finding is asserted here.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-03

Entities and roles

Abu Bakr al-BaghdadiISIS leader killed during the raid
Donald J. Trumppresident directing the raid

Claims and evidence

factdocumented
Trump announced that, at his direction, United States forces conducted a nighttime raid in northwest Syria in which Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi died.
- The White House: The United States Has Brought the Leader of ISIS to JusticeOpening paragraphs