Politicians around the world have welcomed the death of terrorist Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. The self-proclaimed caliph of the Islamic State (IS) had killed itself on access by the US military on the night of Sunday. US President Donald Trump said Al-Baghdadi was "running and crying," "like a dog died, a coward."
There was also praise from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "The death of the Daesh leader marks a turning point in our common fight against terrorism," Erdogan wrote on Twitter. His country had paid the "most expensive price" in the fight against the IS, but also against the Kurdish Workers' Party PKK and the Kurdish militia YPG.
Having paid the dearest price in the fight against Daesh, PKK / YPG, and other terrorist organizations, Turkey welcomes this development.
I am confident that I want to bring peace to all humanity.
Therefore, Turkey welcomed the development, it was said. PKK and YPG are classified by Turkey and IS as terrorist organizations.
Israel also welcomed the death of Al-Baghdadi. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "I would like to congratulate President Trump on the impressive success that led to the killing of IS chief Al-Baghdadi."
France's Emmanuel Macron: "Only one stage"
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the operation an important point in the fight against terrorism. The use against the IS is thus not yet over. "We will work with our partners to stop the murderous, barbaric activities of the IS once and for all." British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said, "The world will not miss Al-Baghdadi."
"The death of Al-Baghdadi is a tough blow against Daesh, but that's just one stage," said France's head of state Emmanuel Macron. Defeating the IS is France's highest priority in the Middle East.
Iranian Information Minister: "No big deal"
The Russian Ministry of Defense, however, there were initially only modest statements on the death of Al-Baghdadi. The Ministry had no secure information about the US operation, it was said. In addition, the fight against terrorism is more difficult than the destruction of leaders.
The Iranian Information Minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi described the death of Al-Baghdadi as "no big deal". "You have only killed your own creature," said the minister. Iran has long accused its archenemy USA of having established IS in the region.
Al-Baghdadi was killed by special forces in northwestern Syria on Sunday night, according to US President Donald Trump. Al-Bagdadi had escaped into a tunnel and detonated an explosives vest.
Trump had thanked Russia, Turkey, Syria, Iraq and the Syrian Kurds for their support. Accordingly, Russia and Turkey controlled areas were overflown during the operation.
