Will ISIL outlive its leader?
Donald Trump says Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi blew himself up during raid by US Special Forces in Syria’s Idlib.
He was one of the world’s most wanted men – a prized target for years.
The US President says Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi – the leader of one of the most feared armed groups, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) – has been killed in northwest Syria.
Donald Trump says he committed suicide with explosives during a raid by US Special Forces.
Al-Baghdadi once ruled an area in Syria and Iraq – the size of the United Kingdom.
Under his watch, ISIL became one of the most brutal armed groups in modern history – carrying out mass killings, beheadings and rape campaigns.
What does al-Baghdadi’s death mean for the internationally designated “terrorist” group?
And is his self-declared “caliphate” dream finally over?
Presenter: Hazem Sika
Guests:
Andreas Krieg – assistant professor, Defence Studies Department, King’s College London
Hiwa Osman – Iraqi political analyst
Lawrence Korb – former US assistant secretary of defence