Donald Trump considering releasing partial video of Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi raid
Congress Democrats have criticised Trump for informing Russia before them about the operation
October 28, 2019
US President Donald Trump announced that he is considering the release of video footage showing the operation which killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi in Barisha, Syria.
Al Baghdadi killed himself using an explosive vest during the overnight raid.
“We're thinking about it. We may. The question was: Am I considering releasing video footage of the raid? And we may take certain parts of it and release it, yes,” Mr Trump told reporters on his way to Chicago on Monday.
Mr Trump also defended his decision not to inform Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives about the operation before it occurred.
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"The only thing they were talking about is why didn't I give the information to [Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee] Adam Schiff and his committee, and the answer is because I think Adam Schiff is the biggest leaker in Washington," Mr Trump said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed dismay that Mr Trump had informed the Russian government before US Congressional leaders about the raid.
"The House must be briefed on this raid, which the Russians but not top congressional leadership were notified of in advance, and on the administration’s overall strategy in the region," she said on Sunday.
The raid and the demise of Mr Baghdadi has interrupted the impeachment process launched by Democrats against Mr Trump and could help improve his low approval rating.
Also on Monday, a US official said the military canine that was injured in the raid has now recovered. “The dog is fine and has returned to duty," a US official told AFP, describing the dog as “beautiful and talented.”
Updated: October 28, 2019 09:34 PM
