Russian officials said in June there was a “high probability” that al-Baghdadi died in a Russian airstrike on the outskirts of Raqqa, Syria, a month earlier. Yes,” said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, who commands the coalition forces fighting Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL) in Iraq and Syria, referring to al-Baghdadi. WASHINGTON—Daesh group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appears to be still alive, a top U.S. military commander said Thursday, contradicting Russia’s claims that it probably killed the top counterterror target months ago. Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon from his headquarters in Baghdad, Townsend said U.S. and coalition forces are actively searching for al-Baghdadi. Townsend called it a “stunningly swift” victory for the Iraqi army, moving “like a steamroller” into the city in a matter of days.

Source: thestar September 01, 2017 20:37 UTC