ISIS Leader DEAD in Daring U.S. Raid

A daring raid in Syria has eliminated ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, sending a strong message of justice to terrorists worldwide.

Story Highlights

U.S. forces successfully conducted a raid in Syria, killing ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The mission, named Operation Kayla Mueller, honored an American hostage murdered by ISIS.
This marks a significant victory in the global fight against terrorism.
No U.S. personnel were injured during the operation.

The Operation’s Execution

On the night of October 26-27, 2019, U.S. special operations forces launched a bold raid in Barisha, Idlib, Syria, targeting ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The meticulously planned operation involved Delta Force and the 75th Ranger Regiment, supported by helicopters from the 160th SOAR. This mission, named in honor of Kayla Mueller, an American hostage killed by ISIS, was a tactical triumph, leading to Baghdadi’s death and the recovery of crucial ISIS intelligence.

Strategic Implications

The operation’s success underscores the prowess of American special forces and the effectiveness of intelligence-driven counterterrorism strategies. With Baghdadi’s death, ISIS lost its symbolic leader, disrupting its operations and communications. The raid also highlighted the importance of intelligence-sharing between the U.S. and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which played a crucial role in locating Baghdadi’s hideout in a region not traditionally associated with ISIS.

The strategic surprise of Baghdadi’s presence in Idlib, a region dominated by other jihadist factions, challenges assumptions about ISIS’s territorial strategies and underscores the complexities of Syria’s ongoing conflict.

Impact on Global Terrorism

Baghdadi’s death dealt a significant blow to ISIS’s ideological claims, undermining its narrative of statehood. However, experts caution that leadership decapitation alone may not dismantle ISIS as a movement, given its diffuse structure and global affiliates. Nevertheless, the operation provides a powerful narrative of justice and resilience for victims of ISIS’s brutality, particularly for the family of Kayla Mueller, whose story has become emblematic of ISIS’s atrocities against Western hostages.

The Story Behind Operation Kayla Mueller and the Fall of ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al‑Baghdadi https://t.co/btovOsV7TP

— SOFREP (@sofrepofficial) December 5, 2025

President Trump, who announced the raid’s success, highlighted the operation as evidence of his administration’s commitment to eradicating terrorism. With no U.S. casualties, the mission reflects a model of precision and limited footprint that may be applied to future counterterrorism efforts.