Iraqi security forces said Iraqi intelligence had indicated the location of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi before the US launched a campaign to kill him.

Iraq's national intelligence agency today announced it had found the whereabouts of the Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi "thanks to accurate information". The US then launched a special operation in northwest Syria to destroy him "on this basis".

US President Donald Trump today confirmed Baghdadi had committed suicide by detonating a bomb belt when US troops were cornered to a dead end in a tunnel at his hiding place. Baghdadi's death was an important victory for President Trump in the context of his fierce criticism for his decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Many people believe that this move will facilitate the revival of IS.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the US special operation in Syria had an initial goal of capturing Baghdadi alive but could be destroyed immediately if necessary.

"We tried to get Baghdadi to surrender and surrender. He refused and retreated to the tunnel. In the pursuit, he activated the bomb belt that we believe to kill himself," he said. added that two US soldiers were slightly injured during the campaign but returned to work. According to Esper, President Trump has approved plans to attack the IS leader last week.

An unnamed US official revealed the operation to destroy Baghdadi was launched from an air base in northern Iraq.

Baghdadi was born in Iraq, thought to be about 47 - 49 years old. He became the IS supreme leader in 2010 and led the group to gain vast territories in Iraq and Syria. In May 2014, Baghdadi announced the establishment of an Islamic state in Mosul, Iraq, and that was his only public appearance.