Spy stole Baghdadi’s underwear to prove he was the right target

US forces targeting Baghdadi knew they had the right man after a Kurd spy stole his underwear.

US forces targeting Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in northwestern Syria were able to confirm they had the right man after a Kurd spy who had infiltrated his inner circle stole his underwear for DNA tests.

An official with the Syrian Democratic Forces claimed responsibility for leading US forces to the ISIS leader’s hide-out in the village of Baricha in Idlib province and helping to prove his identity.

Al-Baghdadi died at the weekend after blowing himself up as US Special Forces chased him into a tunnel under his compound. Three of his children died with him.

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Polat Can, a senior adviser to the SDF, tweeted that the Kurd spy had helped prove al-Baghdadi’s identity and helped map out the interior of his compound, before Delta Force troops swooped.

The infiltrator “brought al-Baghdadi’s underwear to conduct a DNA test and make sure (100%) that the person in question was al-Baghdadi himself,” he said.

AbuBakr al-Baghdadi blew himself up after being chased into a tunnel. Picture: AP.

Mr Cam said his force had been working with the CIA since May 15 to track down the terrorist leader and monitor his movements. They had managed to confirm that he had moved from Deir al-Zor in eastern Syria to Idlib, he said.

He said their spy had got into Baghdadi’s home and “was involved in sending coordinates, directing the airdrop, participating in and making the operation a success until the last minute.”

Baghdadi had been about to change location to the Syrian town of Jarablus when the operation happened, he said.

“All intelligence and access to al-Baghdadi as well as the identification of his place, were the result of our own work,” Mr Can tweeted.

An ISIS poster found near Mosul after it was liberated suggested ISIS had banned western style underwear, allowing only knee length shorts and a sarong style garment. Picture: Iraq Popular Mobilisation Unit.

Addressing the nation about the raid on Monday (AEDT), Donald Trump acknowledged the SDF’s help, saying the Kurds provided some information “helpful” to the operation.

The Syrian Kurds’ contribution to Baghdadi’s death came as a US military dog was named a hero of the raid after being wounded as it chased the terrorist into the dead end tunnel.

Donald Trump tweeted a picture of the dog, saying: “We have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB in capturing and killing the Leader of ISIS.”

We have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB in capturing and killing the Leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi! pic.twitter.com/PDMx9nZWvw

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 28, 2019

Military officials said any further information about the dog - likely a Belgian Malinois, a breed favoured by the US military - would be kept secret.

“It’s classified, we’re protecting the dog’s identity,” said Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley. The dog had been “slightly wounded and is fully recovering,” he said. “The dog is still in theatre, returned to duty, with its handler.”

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley answers reporters' questions about the raid. Picture: AFP.

US officials said Baghdadi’s body had been buried at sea with religious rites according to religious custom. The burial was in line with the 2011 sea burial of Al-Qa’ida leader Osama bin Laden after he was killed in a US special forces raid in Pakistan.

Defence Secretary Mark Esper has praised the nearly hundred strong Delta Force troops who flew into Barachir in eight helicopters under the cover of darkness.

“They executed the raid in all of its facets brilliantly,” Mr Esper said. General Milley said no one was injured in the operation, despite the US team coming under fire when they arrived.

They took two men prisoner, and Baghdadi’s remains were removed after he killed himself.

“Baghdadi’s remains were then transported to a secure facility to confirm his identity with forensic DNA testing,” Gen. Milley said.

“The disposal of his remains has been done, is complete and was handled appropriately,” he added, saying it was handled “in accordance with the law of armed conflict.”

Another Pentagon official confirmed that Baghdadi’s body was buried at sea at an unnamed location.

AFP, Reuters