Early Sunday morning, Trump announced that ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was dead after a U.S. led raid in Syria.
This news comes after Trump’s abrupt decision to remove troops from Syria, putting our allies, the Kurds, in danger having to face a now empowered Turkey who (with Trump’s help) was able to attack the defenseless nation, causing great damage to property and killing hundreds of innocent people in the process. But, of course, Trump says he wasn’t siding with anyone.
What you may not heard is that Trump’s unplanned decision to withdraw troops from Northern Syria almost ruined the entire Baghdadi operation that he unapologetically took credit for today.
According to The New York Times:
‘Armed with that initial tip, the C.I.A. worked closely with Iraqi and Kurdish intelligence officials in Iraq and Syria to identify Mr. al-Baghdadi’s more precise whereabouts and to put spies in place to monitor his periodic movements, allowing American commandos to stage an assault Saturday in which President Trump said Mr. al-Baghdadi died.
‘But Mr. Trump’s abrupt decision to withdraw American forces from northern Syria disrupted the meticulous planning and forced Pentagon officials to press ahead with a risky, night raid before their ability to control troops and spies and reconnaissance aircraft disappeared, according to military, intelligence and counterterrorism officials. Mr. al-Baghdadi’s death, they said, occurred largely in spite of Mr. Trump’s actions.
‘The officials praised the Kurds, who continued to provide information to the C.I.A. on Mr. al-Baghdadi even after Mr. Trump’s decision to withdraw the American troops left the Syrian Kurds to confront a Turkish offensive alone. The Syrian and Iraqi Kurds, one official said, provided more intelligence for the raid than any single country.’
Just to make crystal clear what officials said:
‘Mr. al-Baghdadi’s death, they said, occurred largely in spite of Mr. Trump’s actions.’
In other words, they were LUCKY!
Our so-called “president” took full credit for the attack and subsequent death of Baghdadi, downplaying the role of the Kurds who played such a major role helping the CIA operation saying, “They gave us not a military role at all, but they gave us some information that turned out to be helpful, the Kurds.”
He then went on to spend much of the news conference Sunday morning thanking Russia for their part in it. In fact, it turns out that Trump notified Russia of his plans for the attack before he even told Congress.
Adam Schiff confirms:
Adam Schiff confirms that the gang of 8 wasn’t notified before that Baghdadi raid, but do you know who was? Russia. pic.twitter.com/M3w5SAnrTE
— Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) October 27, 2019
According to The Washington Post:
‘U.S. presidents typically follow the protocol of contacting congressional leaders, regardless of their political party, when a high-level military operation is conducted.
‘“The House must be briefed on this raid, which the Russians but not top congressional leadership were notified of in advance, and on the administration’s overall strategy in the region,” Pelosi said. “Our military and allies deserve strong, smart and strategic leadership from Washington.”’
