President Trump publicly announced the capture of at least five ‘most wanted’ ISIS fighters Thursday; delivering another crippling blow to the terror organization just 16 months into his presidency.
The Commander-in-Chief hailed the operation on social media, proudly stating “Five Most Wanted leaders of ISIS just captured!”
Five Most Wanted leaders of ISIS just captured!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2018
According to the Daily Mail, the terrorists were “lured” from Syria into Iraq using a popular mobile phone application.
“A security advisor to Iraq’s government said hours earlier that Iraqi agents were holding a top aide to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and used an app on his mobile phone to lure four commanders from the group into a trap,” writes the Daily Mail.
The developments mark another victory over the terror organization after months of prolonged military campaigns that dismantled the network throughout both Syria and Iraq.
CHRISTMAS MIRACLE: Iraqis Celebrate FIRST Post-ISIS Christmas in Mosul
Christians throughout Iraq celebrated the Christmas holiday at churches and public gatherings across the country this year, marking the first-time residents of Mosul were able to openly worship since being liberated from ISIS just months ago.
From Baghdad to Mosul, videos of Christians attending Christmas services flooded social media; with joyous congregants publicly worshipping in what one twitter user described as “ISIS’ nightmare.”
اول #ميلاد لليسوع في بغداد بعد اعلان النصر على #داعش
الان من كنيسة سيدة النجاة #Christmas #baghdad pic.twitter.com/fJk1d2Gajh— Methaq Alfayyadh (@MethaqAlFayyadh) December 24, 2017
Christians in Mosul Celebrate First Post-ISIS Christmas Mass pic.twitter.com/uV6pMT7K06
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 25, 2017
Iraqi Christians have raised a 30-ft. tall Christmas tree in Baghdad to celebrate both the holiday and the expulsion of ISIS extremists by Iraq Security Forces. pic.twitter.com/e96oaR5neN
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 23, 2017
In July of this year, the Iraqi government officially announced that ISIS has been completely eradicated from Iraq’s second largest city and home to a large proportion of the Muslim nation’s Christian community.
Mosul had fallen to Islamic fighters more than three years ago in June of 2014, when ISIS reclaimed the city after months of fierce fighting against coalition forces.
COLD WAR HEATS UP: US Jet Destroys RUSSIAN TANK in Syria Showdown
A US fighter jet operating in Syrian airspace opened-fire on a Russian-made tank in an act of “self-defense” said the Pentagon Tuesday, signaling a further escalation of tensions in the region as the seven-year long civil war continues to engulf the country.
According to Business Insider, US officials confirmed the incident this week, saying the Air Force jet destroyed a Russian T-72 tank near Al Tabiyeh, Syria; killing three crew members.
The nationalities of the fatalities remains unclear.
“The tank had been maneuvering with coordinated indirect fire on a defensive position occupied by Syrian Democratic Forces and Coalition advisers,” said US Marine Corps Maj. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway.
“The position was within effective range of the hostile weapons systems,” he added.
JUST IN: US jet destroys Russian T-72 battle tank in E Syria in 'self-defense' Saturday after 'pro-regime forces' fired on US special ops and allied Syrian fighters near same location of last week's attack, officials say. No US or allied casualties. 3 inside tank killed.
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) February 13, 2018
Despite joint pledges to work together to destroy ISIS and other terror networks, Russia and the United States find themselves on opposite sides of the ongoing conflict; with US forces equipping Syrian rebels and Russian forces supporting the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
The escalation of violence comes as Israel and Iran face-off inside Syrian airspace, with Assad’s forces shooting down an Israeli F16 fighter jet using equipment supplied by Tehran.
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