US News and World Report: U.S. General Thinks Baghdadi Is Alive
The elusive leader should probably be killed rather than captured, the outgoing commander for the war against the Islamic State group says.
The outgoing U.S. commander for the wars in Iraq and Syria discounts recent reports that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been killed, saying he thinks the elusive leader of the Islamic State group is alive and likely in the middle Euphrates River Valley area spanning the border of the two war-torn countries.
Townsend says his appraisal of Baghdadi's whereabouts "is just an educated guess," stressing he does not know for sure the whereabouts of the former al-Qaida in Iraq operative and U.S. detainee or that he is indeed still alive. However, open source reporting as well as secret communications intelligence indicates he has not been killed, says Townsend, who is scheduled to step down from his yearlong assignment in the coming weeks.
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More News On Gen. Steve Townsend Remarks That He Believes Islamic State Leader Al-Baghdadi Is Still Alive
Islamic State chief Baghdadi likely still alive: US general -- AFP
US commander: IS leader al-Baghdadi probably still alive -- National Post/AP
Gen.Townsend: Baghdadi is probably still alive -- Military Times
Top commander says ISIS leader most likely still alive -- Politico
Top US commander says ISIS leader likely still alive -- The Hill
ISIS leader al-Baghdadi probably still alive, US commander says -- Stars and Stripes
‘I Believe He Is Alive’: Top General Says Baghdadi Still On The Loose, And He Wants Him Dead -- Daily Caller
Pentagon: Daesh Leader Likely Alive, May Hide in Middle Euphrates River Valley -- Sputnik
