Al-Bagdadi dead, Idlib last bastion.

PERFECTLY  EXECUTED PLAN TAKES OUT ISIS ARCHITECT

IDLIB PROVINCE LOCATION OF HIDEOUT

In September of 2018, there was much reporting that Idlib Province in northwestern Syria was the last stronghold of ISIS and other Syrian rebels. Russia and Syrian forces had amassed and actually began shelling strategic parts in preparation of an invasion of the area.

Turkey loudly protested such a move as it contains over 3 million civilians and 10,000 ISIS and other rebel groups. They feared another influx of refugees and mass civilian casualties. Turkey was joined by the United States in convincing Russia and Syria to not complete the planned offensive. One of the reasons for the U.S. objections was this area was also populated by U.S. supported Syrian rebels. There were still hopes by many in the U.S. establishment of forcing Assad from power even though this was already unlikely at that time. 

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=219171338015504465#editor/target=post;postID=2622007825253350459;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=79;src=postname

Saturday saw the elimination of the leader, founder and architect of the ISIS caliphate. Abu-Bakr-Al-Bagdadi and many of his cohorts were killed by U.S. special forces. It was a perfectly executed plan that saw no deaths or serious injuries to U.S. forces. A great accomplishment by our military and intelligence services. While this does not eliminate ISIS threats from small groups and individuals it is a major blow to the hoped resurrection of ISIS as an organized threat. 

Al-Bagdadi had the talent and organizational skills to have been successful in many productive endeavors, sadly he chose a dead-end path of terror and brutal destruction. He will be succeeded by someone, but it is unlikely that he can be replaced.

This operation would not have been possible without the cooperation of Turkey, Russia and probably Syria. 

It may be an indication of the future of anti-terrorist strategies. Using our great military in a way that they are trained to be used, rather than a world police force. This also requires cooperation and reasonable relations with others in the area that may not be allies, but who have common interests in certain areas. It can be assumed that the intelligence needed originated in either Syria or Turkey.

Better than invasion, occupation and nation building, might be to have such a rapid deployment force that could put up to 500 men on the ground with accompanying air power, do what is needed and get out. This could be flexible with targets ranging from individuals to concentrations of the enemy. At present the fear and respect of U.S. power has been diminished by occupation and rules of engagement. Elimination of threats to the U.S. could possibly be undertaken in this way.

None of this is possible without good reliable intelligence on the ground. While many criticize this administrations attempt to have dialogue and some cooperation with countries and foreign leaders who are not our allies, there are many times positive results could be accomplished by having a respectful relationship in areas of mutual interest.