U.S. Special Forces earned a long-awaited victory lap Saturday night after killing a leader of the Islamic State, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in northwest Syria. Baghdadi had been on the United States radar ever since 2014, when ISIS became an international target for the spread of terrorism.
Baghdadis whereabouts became known after one of his wives was captured this summer.
The Central Intelligence Agency and Special Operations commandos are said to have worked closely with Iraqi and Kurdish intelligence officials to track down Baghdadi.
That cooperation between our countries is not lost on those opposed to President Trumps abrupt withdrawal three weeks ago of U.S. troops in northwest Syria. It takes years to develop the trust needed for intelligence operations such as this.
We also hope its not lost on the president the efficacy of the CIA, a department he has continued to criticize and characterize as the deep state.
That the ISIS leader was discovered in northwest Syria bordering Turkey only underscores the need for a continued American presence there.
Instead, Mr. Trump has redirected U.S. troops to a remote region on the other side of Syria to protect oil fields, a decision that sends a terrible message of our priorities.
Baghdadis death, of course, will not be the end of ISIS, which is estimated to have 10,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria and four regional headquarters. Their objective remains focused on attacking the Western world.
If our goal is to ensure the Islamic State does not grow stronger, the United States must keep some sort of military presence in the region.
Now is not the time to place such an important mission under someone elses watch.
Susan Lynn
