(Weekly Highlights) Military Times Baghdadi’s Death in Syria: The End of the Caliphate? BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND HUMAN RIGHTS 2 28th of October 2019 The leader of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed himself during a US military operation in the Syrian village of Barisha in the governate of Idlib on the 27th of October 2019. The operation, named after US human rights activist Kayla Mueller which was abducted and killed by IS in 2015,1 was conducted by US special forces with “certain support” by Russia, Turkey, and Syria according to the briefing made by US President Donald Trump.2 Trump explained that Baghdadi was under surveillance for a couple of weeks and that the operation was postponed several times due to Baghdadi’s movements.3 An attempt was made by Baghdadi to escape the raid; however, he detonated his vest after reaching a dead-end tunnel while being chased by military dogs.4 Trump confirmed Baghdadi’s death after biometric and DNA tests on the remains of his body.5 Baghdadi’s death was met with praise by several states such as Turkey and France.6 However, uncertainty remains looming around the future of the organization’s leadership and who would take- over after Baghdadi, particularly that his right hand man Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir was also killed in a separate operation in north eastern Syria.7 Although IS’s territorial control has evaporated, the organization remains present in the area. IS has sponsored various hit-and-run attacks against different targets inside Syria. However, the killing of al-Baghdadi poses many questions on the future of the organization. 1 Chandelis Duster, “The Baghdadi Raid Was Named after ISIS Victim Kayla Mueller. Her Parents Say They’re ‘Grateful,’” CNN, accessed October 28, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/27/politics/kayla-mueller-parents-reaction-to-baghdadi- death/index.html. 2 “IS Leader Dead after US Raid in Syria, Trump Says,” BBC News, October 28, 2019, sec. US & Canada, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50200339. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 5 Maegan Vazquez CNN Zachary Cohen and Kevin Liptak, “President Trump: ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Is Dead,” CNN, accessed October 28, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/27/politics/isis-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-operation-donald- trump/index.html. 6 “Trump: ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Is Dead,” October 27, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/abu-bakr-al- baghdadi-isis-intl-hnk/index.html. 7 Ibid. See no.2 above BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND HUMAN RIGHTS 3 BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND HUMAN RIGHTS The BIC-RHR is a research organization We base our activities in three spheres based in the capital of Europe that works of work: Social Outreach, Insights and to produce valuable insights into policy Democratic Development. Combined, debates and political actions taking they provide a global perspective with place in the MENA region and its effects actions focused on influencing the on individuals. individual. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Photo (as per website) Mohammed Sami /BICBrussels @bicrh @bicrhr Avenue Louise, 89 - 1050 Brussels - Belgium Tel: + 32 02 725 84 66 www.bic-rhr.com [email protected] BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND HUMAN RIGHTS .