Turkish forces capture sister of dead ISIS chief Baghdadi
Days after ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed by the United States, Turkey has claimed that it captured the terrorist's elder sister. On Monday, a senior Turkish official disclosed that 65-year-old Rasmiya Awad was arrested near Azaz, a northern town of Syria. She was accompanied by her husband, daughter-in-law, and five children at the time of the raid. Here are more details.
Her arrest is a gold mine of intelligence: Official
Calling her arrest a "gold mine" of intelligence, the senior official added that Rasmiya was living in a trailer container with her family. Though he didn't elaborate much, the official confirmed Rasmiya is affiliated to the extremist group. "What she knows about (IS) can significantly expand our understanding of the group and help us catch more bad guys," he told AP.
Rasmiya and other adults are being interrogated
Further, the official said the adults are being grilled, as per government protocol. To note, the region from where she was purportedly captured is administered by Turkey. Since 2016, the country has been engaged in a military exercise against IS militants and Kurdish fighters. The area known as Euphrates Shield Zone is managed by Allied Syrian Forces.
Earlier, Trump announced Baghdadi "died like a dog"
Just last month, Baghdadi, the dreaded chief of ISIS, blew himself up after being cornered by US forces. Announcing his death, US President Donald Trump said he took refuge in a tunnel after military dogs chased him. According to Trump, Baghdadi was "whimpering and crying and screaming". Though he said all US soldiers were safe, another official said two personnel suffered injuries.
Baghdadi spent his last moments in fear: Trump
"The thug who tried so hard to intimidate others spent his last moments in utter fear, in total panic and dread, terrified of the American forces bearing down on him," Trump said, and added forces spent two hours in the area to gather "sensitive material".
Baghdadi declared himself a "caliph", his death was welcomed
The death of Baghdadi, who rose to prominence in 2013-14, was welcomed by world leaders. It was under his watch that ISIS carried innumerable attacks globally, killing thousands. He had even declared himself the "caliph" of all Muslims and managed to take control of large areas of Iraq and Syria. Despite Baghdadi being eliminated, security agencies said ISIS continues to be a threat in Syria.
Meanwhile, ISIS has already found a new chief
Confirming Baghdadi's death, ISIS stated that Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi will succeed him. In an audio, the ultra-violent group asked the "US to not rejoice". "Don't you know America that the state (IS) today is at the doorstep of Europe and is in Central Africa? It is also expanding and remaining from east to west," the speaker in the audio reportedly said.
