Good morning. Last night
operating on my orders.
United States military forces
successfully moved in major
terrorist threat to the world.
The global leader of ISIS.
Known as Hajji Abdullah.
He took over as leader of ISIS in 2019
after the United States counterterrorism
operation killed Al Baghdadi.
Since then, ISIS has directed terrorist
operations targeting Americans,
our allies, and our partners,
and countless civilians in the Middle East,
Africa and in South Asia.
How do you Abdullah oversaw the spread
of ISIS affiliated terrorist groups
around the world after savaging
communities and murdering innocents?
He was responsible for the recent
brutal attack on a prison in
northeast Syria holding ISIS fighters,
which was swiftly addressed by our brave
partners in the Syrian democratic forces.
He was the driving force behind
the genocide of the city.
People in northwestern Iraq in 2014.
We all remember the gut wrenching stories,
mass slaughters that wiped
out entire villages,
thousands of women and young
girls sold into slavery.
Rape uses a weapon of war.
And thanks to the bravery of our troops,
this horrible terrorist leader is no more.
Our forces carried out the operation with
their signature preparation and precision,
and I directed the Department of Defense
to take every precaution possible
to minimize civilian casualties.
Knowing that this terrorist had chosen
surround himself with families,
including children,
we made a choice to pursue a special
forces raid at a much greater risk
than our to our own people rather
than targeting him with an airstrike.
We made this choice to minimize
civilian casualties.
Our team is still compiling the report,
but we do know that as our troops
approach to capture the terrorist in
a final act of desperate cowardness
he with no regard to the lives of his
own family or others in the building,
he chose to blow himself up not
just to the vest,
but to blow up that third floor
rather than face justice for the
crimes he has committed,
taking several members of his family
with him just as his predecessor did.
I'm grateful for the immense courage
and skill and determination of our U.S.
forces who skillfully executed this
incredibly challenging mission.
The members of our military are the
solid steel backbone of this nation.
Ready to fly into danger at a moment's
notice to keep our country and the
American people safe as well as our allies.
And I'm also grateful to the
families of our service members.
You serve right alongside these
soldiers and sailors Marines,
special forces, the loved ones,
giving them the strength and support
they need to do what they do.
To our service members and their families.
We're forever grateful.
For the what you do for us and
we owe you a debt.
Thank you.
We're also aided by the essential
partnership of the Syrian Democratic forces.
I want to commend our dedicated
intelligence community,
the Department of Defense,
and members of our national security
team throughout the government
whose meticulous entires work over
the course of many months ensured
that this mission succeeded.
This operation is testament to
America's reach and capability
to take out terrorist threats no
matter where they try to
hide anywhere in the world.
I'm determined to protect the American
people from terrorist threats,
and I'll take this decisive action to
protect this country and will continue
working with our close allies and partners.
The Syrian Democratic forces,
the Iraqi security forces,
including the Kurdish press, murga,
and more than 80 members of the
Global Coalition to keep pressure
on ISIS to protect our homeland.
We remain vigilant.
We remain prepared.
Last night's operation took a major
terrorist leader off the battlefield,
and it sent a strong message to
terrorists around the world.
We will come after you and find you.
Once again,
today we continue our unceasing effort
to keep the American people safe
and to strengthen security of our
allies and partners around the world.
Wanna thank you all.
And May God bless you,
and May God protect our troops.
Heading off to New York right now,
I'm late and I thank you for your time.
Appreciate it.