"If indeed this information about the elimination of al-Baghdadi is confirmed, then we can talk about a serious contribution by the President of the United States in the fight against international terrorism", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated.
He also stressed that Russian forces had spotted American planes and drones operating in the area. There have been multiple reports of al-Baghdadi's demise, but no confirmation was issued before.
© REUTERS / Rodi SaidTurkish and American soldiers stand near a former YPG military point during a joint U.S.-Turkey patrol, near Tel Abyad, Syria September 8, 2019
Turkish and American soldiers stand near a former YPG military point during a joint U.S.-Turkey patrol, near Tel Abyad, Syria September 8, 2019
© REUTERS / Rodi Said
According to Trump, the terrorist "died after running into a dead-end tunnel, whimpering and crying and screaming all the way". The US president also thanked Russia, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey for their assistance in the op, but Moscow stressed there was no reliable information about the incident.
According to reports, the operation took place in the village of Barisha in Idlib, northwestern Syria, the last stronghold of various terror groups in the country.
* Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/IS/Islamic State) is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia