Baghdadi raid

This photo, taken Oct. 27, 2019, the day after the raid on ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's compound in Syria, shows the van that was targeted by U.S. airstrikes. Photos of the van prompted questions about who was targeted.

Pentagon files reveal flaws in U.S. claims about Syrian casualties in Baghdadi raid

3:07pm July 21, 2023

by Daniel Estrin

The U.S. Defense Department said troops spared civilians during a celebrated 2019 raid against the leader of ISIS, but NPR has uncovered new details that challenge the U.S. claims.

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Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, speaks as a picture of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is displayed during a news briefing on Oct. 30, 2019, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. McKenzie spoke to reporters to provide an upda

NPR sues the Pentagon for info on possible civilian deaths during the Baghdadi raid

7:39am December 11, 2021

by Daniel Estrin

NPR has sued the Defense Department to get it to release files regarding possible civilian casualties during the 2019 raid in Syria that resulted in the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

A woman walks past a wrecked van near the northwestern Syrian village of Barisha. Local residents and medical staff told NPR that noncombatant civilians who were in the van were injured and killed last year the night of the U.S. raid on the compound of IS

Pentagon Says 2 Men Killed In Baghdadi Raid Were Combatants But Offers Little Evidence

7:59pm October 27, 2020

by Daniel Estrin

After NPR reported claims of civilian deaths in the operation against the ISIS chief, Central Command says the men showed "hostile intent," but it found no weapons or signs they fired at U.S. forces.

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Syrians ride a motorcycle past a burnt vehicle near the northwest Syrian village of Barisha in the Idlib province of Syria, near where U.S. forces raided an ISIS compound.

The U.S. Investigates Possible Civilian Deaths During Baghdadi Raid In Syria

8:05pm March 13, 2020

The military is conducting a credibility assessment of claims of civilian casualties during the U.S. operation against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

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A woman walks past a wrecked van near the northwestern Syrian village of Barisha. Local residents and medical staff tell NPR that noncombatant civilians were killed and injured in the van the night of the U.S. raid on the compound of ISIS leader Abu Bakr

Syrians Say U.S. Helicopter Fire Killed Civilians During The Raid On Baghdadi

10:13pm December 03, 2019

A Syrian man says his arm was blown off and two friends were killed by U.S. helicopter fire during the assault on ISIS's leader. A defense official said the military will review what happened.

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