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It is possible that both of these reports are accurate and that there was a need to assemble the requisite personnel from multiple locations in order to act on actionable intelligence about the ISIS leader. However, based on Trump's statements about how long it took them to fly to Baghdadi's compound, it is all but impossible that they traveled directly from Erbil or Al Asad.
The helicopters could have flown to Barisha from an intermediate staging point, however. One very possible location would have been the Kobane Landing Zone, which is situated some 100 miles northeast of where Baghdadi's hiding out. The U.S. military has been withdrawing from this base, which the United States first occupied some time in 2015, as a result of the Turkish intervention.
Official pictures show that U.S. personnel were still there helping with the pullout as of Oct. 23, 2019. Even if the U.S. military had otherwise vacated this base, it would have still provided a large, established airstrip that would have been ideal for establishing a Forward Arming and Refueling Point, or FARP, which U.S. special operations forces routinely use during longer-range air assaults.

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US ARMY

US military personnel load cargo onto a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport plane at the Kobane Landing Zone on Oct. 23, 2019. A US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is visible in the background.

However, Trump's comments about a "port" and "ships" might suggest that the raiding force started or completed its mission somewhere else, despite his additional statement that the special operators took the same route to and from the target location. There has been speculation that they may have started and ended the operation against Baghdadi from the U.K. Royal Air Force Base at Akrotiri on the island of Cyprus. A U.S. Navy or contractor-operated ship in the Eastern Mediterranean acting as a sea base is another possibility.

Stephen Corstorphine@S_Corsto

Replying to @StrategicNews1

[ltr]I was thinking same. Trump let the word “port” and also 110min travel time slip

UH-60 can travel 413km in 110 mins (full speed)

370km between Akrotiri and Barisha, Idlib.

Also ties in with Turkish and Russian co-op/permissions (?) over Cyprus and nr. Latakia ¯\(°_o)/¯[/ltr]

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11:54 AM - Oct 27, 2019
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More detail about the exact composition of the raiding force could eventually help answer questions about the most likely ingress and egress routes. On Oct. 27, 2019, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told ABC's Martha Raddatz that approximately a 100 U.S. special operators – reportedly primarily from the U.S. Army's Delta Force and 75th Ranger Regiment – took part in the operation and that Chinook helicopters brought them to and from the target site. The Chinooks were likely MH-47s from the Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, though even JSOC's elite task forces have used standard Army CH-47s, among other conventional enablers, when necessary, in the past. In this case, it is probably safe to say that the 160th SOAR's highly modified MH-47s were exclusively involved considering the hostile airspace the mission took place in, its low-level night penetration demands, and the unique communications and command and control gear needed to coordinate such a complex and high-stakes operation.
Bystanders also found shell casings associated with the M230 30mm automatic cannon near Baghdadi's compound in the aftermath of the attack. Automatic cannon fire allegedly destroyed a small minibus, possibly to prevent Baghdadi and others from escaping the area. There were also reports that gunships otherwise raked the compound and nearby areas with cannon fire during the operation. This was likely in response to the reports of personnel on the ground shooting at the helicopters.

Mzahem Alsaloum@Mzahem_Alsaloum

[ltr]Fresh Footage via local activities showing the location of chase that took place after the rides, between the US Forces and Baghdadi's Cell.

لقطات حديثة تظهر موقع المطاردة التي حصلت.

PS: attention violent content.#Syria #ISIS #Daesh@Liveuamap @QalaatAlMudiq @michaeldweiss[/ltr]

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Riam Dalati

@Dalatrm

[ltr]ADVISORY UNVERIFIED
Footage purportedly filmed in #Barisha, #Idlib this morning claims to show aftermath of #Baghdadi raid.[/ltr]

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MrRevinsky@Kyruer

· Oct 27, 2019

Replying to @Kyruer

[ltr]#Syria #Idlib #US officials confirm #Isis leader al-Baghdadi has been killed last night in Berisha (~70 between Rangers and Delta Forces involved).https://twitter.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1188413704804675585?s=19 …[/ltr]

Jennifer Griffin

[size=13]@JenGriffinFNC

ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi dead, killed in US raid in Idlib, according to senior US military source. Baghdadi’s identity has been confirmed. “We long suspected Baghdadi was hiding in Idlib,” US source said.
[/size]

MrRevinsky@Kyruer

[ltr]#Syria #Idlib
More pics from Berisha: here you can see one of the vehicles destroyed during #US raid against #Isis leader and some of the ammo used.[/ltr]

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The 160th uses this weapon on their MH-60L/M Black Hawk special operations helicopters in the Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) configuration. Regular Army AH-64 Apache gunships, which have also been supporting special operations activities in Syria from forward locations, such as the KLZ, as seen in the picture of that base earlier in this story, also use this weapon. Both the MH-47s and the MH-60s have inflight refueling capabilities, which could have further helped extend their range during the trip to Baghdadi's compound and then to where ever they went following the mission, as well.

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UNITED COMPOSITES

One of the 160th SOAR's MH-60Ms in the latest Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) configuration using Multi-Station Lightweight Armament Support Structure (MLASS) stub wings. An M230 30mm cannon pod is visible on the inboard pylon on the left side of the helicopter.

The truth is, we really don't know the composition of the eight helicopter force at this time beyond the inclusion of MH-47s Chinooks. Many will wonder if some form of stealthy Black Hawk was used, similar to those used in the Bin Laden raid. It is possible that the initial raiding force used such a platform, a newer version of which has been rumored to be operating around Syria for years, but we just don't know at this time. The possibility that heavy weaponry was fired at the compound from the air during the operation would make this possibility less likely.
Also, alerting the local players as to the operation's timing may have reduced enough risk to allow the more conventional helicopters to be used. Of course, it's not like the 160th SOAR's MH-60s and MH-47s aren't designed to operate in contested airspace as it is.
So many other questions remain, such as what airpower was assigned to give this raiding force cover from above if it would have been needed. It is very rare that manned U.S. or coalition aircraft fly into Western Syria. For years, it has been all but off-limits airspace and standoff munitions were used to hit larger targets. American drones have and still do operate in the area, but considering how high-value this target was, placing a non-stealthy drone overhead for weeks may have been too risky. During the lead-up to Operation Neptune Spear that took down Bin Laden, stealthy RQ-170 Sentinels worked as the eyes in the sky over Bin Laden's compound, even watching him pace daily in his courtyard prior to the operation commencing.
It is very possible Sentinels were used to monitor the compound in the weeks leading up to the operation and to stream live video of the operation, as well. In fact, just like in 2011, this is likely what Trump and his advisors were watching in the Situation Room. It's also worth noting that there are also stealthy MQ-11 Avengers in the region that could be under the CIA's direction. Either asset would have been more ideal than an MQ-9 Reaper drone hanging out over the compound for days on end and during the raid. The MQ-11 could also provide close air support.

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TYSON V. RININGER / WWW.TVRPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

A General Atomics Avenger.

With all this in mind, another question emerges: were F-35s used for overhead support or were far more traceable assets held off at a greater distance, ready to push into the area if need be? The latter option would have required a far more elaborate package, including Wild Weasel aircraft ready to suppress or destroy any enemy air defense systems that may target the fighter aircraft above. Regardless, a huge number of aerial assets would have been involved in this operation—from airborne command and control aircraft, to tankers, to communications relay aircraft, to electronic intelligence monitoring platforms, to combat search and rescue forces. Every contingency would have been planned for and capabilities arrayed to respond as needed.
The lightning-fast disclosure of this raid is also puzzling. There was no stealth Black Hawk tail left behind to answer for as was the case in the Bin Laden operation. Considering the level of exploitable intelligence they pulled out of that compound, even a few days would have given the intel folks a leg up on targeting al-Baghdadi's accomplices and operatives – as has reportedly already happened to Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir.
The compound was leveled after the operation, as well, which may have drawn some local attention, but in that region, kinetic actions happen daily against all types of targets. Electronic communications between top ISIS operatives were limited if not nonexistent, news of the raid would have spread slower than otherwise and it would have probably been laced with confusion.

Josie Ensor

@Josiensor

· Oct 27, 2019

Replying to @Josiensor

[ltr]This is interesting point from @rcallimachi. It was feared Baghdadi would move after being spooked as his trusted courier and his wife went quiet, but he didn't. Why? Had he become complacent? Or did he not like his chances moving around HTS-held Idlib 6/ https://twitter.com/rcallimachi/status/1188516938361856001 …[/ltr]

Rukmini Callimachi

[size=13]@rcallimachi
Replying to @rcallimachi
4. Had he been tipped off that something was afoot? Did he find it odd that his trusted courier and one of his wives had gone silent? It’s unclear. But we know that geopolitically everything changed this month, when a presidential phone call led to Turkey’s invasion of Syria
[/size]

Josie Ensor

@Josiensor

[ltr]Astonishing aerial photo of the aftermath of the US raid on Baghdadi's compound in Barisha, Idlib, from @AFP[/ltr]

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Regardless, one of history's most depraved maniacs has been scraped from the earth once and for all. More details are sure to emerge about the operation in the hours and days to come. We will keep you up to date as they do.
UPDATE: 6:30pm EST—
National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Oct. 27, 2019, that the official nickname for the operation was a tribute to Kayla Mueller, an American air worker that ISIS took hostage and murdered in 2015. He did not say what the nickname was, however. For comparison, the raid that led to the death of Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was nicknamed Operation Neptune Spear.
UPDATE: 10/28/2019—
The New York Times and Bloomberg have both now reported that President Donald Trump's decision to [url=http://the syrian and iraqi kurds%2c one official said%2c provided more intelligence for the raid than any single country./]effectively acquiesce[/url] to Turkey's intervention into northern Syria targeting the predominantly Kurdish SDF and a subsequent order for a near-total withdrawal of American forces from the country had threatened to upend the search for Baghdadi and plans to raid his compound in Barisha. U.S. policy has reversed to some degree with a decision that came last week that has seen American troops now reinforce a position near the city of Deir Ez Zor.
"The Syrian and Iraqi Kurds, one official said, provided more intelligence for the raid than any single country," The Times reported. The SDF continued to provide information on Baghdadi and his whereabouts even after the pullout began, which the group had publicly described as a betrayal by the United States.
There is also an unconfirmed report that Baghdadi's remains have been buried at sea, as was the case with Osama Bin Laden's body, a tactic used to prevent them, or even just a known final resting place, from becoming a shrine of sorts for future terrorists. This also brings up questions again about the involvement of ships offshore during the operation.

Jennifer Griffin

@JenGriffinFNC

[ltr]Source tells me Abu Bakr al Baghdadi remains have already been buried at sea.[/ltr]

529
11:01 AM - Oct 28, 2019
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UPDATE: 1:20 PM EST—
General Mazlum Abdi, who also goes by Mazlum Kobane, the head of the SDF, has claimed that the organization had a source who had infiltrated Baghdadi's compound, providing unprecedented information about the site and its layout ahead of the operation, as well as other vital details. That individual was reportedly on the ground during the operation. There are also reports that SDF personnel were otherwise present during the raid, but it unclear if this refers to this particular informant.

Richard Engel

@RichardEngel

[ltr]Gen. Mazlum Kobane tells @NBCNews that Kurdish intelligence had a deep source in Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's inner circle who provided information essential to the US raid that killed the ISIS leader. Mazlum said the informant was at Baghdadi's compound as it was assaulted.[/ltr]

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Jennifer Griffin

@JenGriffinFNC

· Oct 28, 2019

Replying to @JenGriffinFNC

[ltr].@BenjaminHallFNC in frank interview with Kurdish general Mazloum: They acted, because Baghdadi's right hand man was planning on moving him to a new location.
Had Baghdadi moved, the US would have struck quickly, acc to Mazloum.[/ltr]

Jennifer Griffin

@JenGriffinFNC

[ltr]Kurdish Gen Mazloum tells .@BenjaminHallFNC: The SDF provided the location, the details about the Baghdadi compound, the tunnels, and how many people were with him. The SDF knew this because of a source inside ISIS.
An SDF member was on the raid helping US.[/ltr]

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11:36 AM - Oct 28, 2019
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At a press briefing on Oct. 28, 2019, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army General Mark Milley, standing beside Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, said that a wide variety of munitions, including AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) cruise missiles, unspecified precision-guided bombs, and AGM-114 Hellfire guided missiles, had been responsible for leveling Baghdadi's compound.
He did not say what aircraft were involved, but this makes confirms that, as expected, some number of fixed-wing aircraft were providing top cover for the operation, in addition to the still unknown helicopter gunships. Milley said that additional information may be coming soon in subsequent briefings. The General also said that the military working dog injured in the raid was set to make a full recovery.

Jack Detsch@JackDetsch_ALM

· 23h

Replying to @JackDetsch_ALM

[ltr]Video of Baghdadi's final moments have not been declassified, Milley says. "Some operational and tactical level briefings" by CENTCOM in the coming days.[/ltr]

Jack Detsch@JackDetsch_ALM

[ltr]US used a variety of munitions, including JASSMs, GBUs, and Hellfires to destroy Baghdadi's compound after the raid, Milley says. "We're not releasing the name of the dog right now. The dog is still in theater." Slightly wounded, but fully recovering.[/ltr]

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Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

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"What have we here?" KTFA Thoughts/News 4/12/19

[size=18]KTFA

Don961 » April 12th, 2019[/size]

What have we here !!?? .. visiting Washington are we ? ...

[size=18]Samson » April 12th, 2019

Finance Minister discusses with US Treasury Secretary strengthening economic relationship[/size]

12th April, 2019

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Fuad Hussein met with the US Treasury Secretary during a visit to Washington.

"In Washington, I met with US Treasury Secretary Stephen M. Menuchin, among other things, political developments in the region and ways to strengthen economic relations between Iraq and the United States," Hussein wrote on his Twitter account. LINK

[size=18]Godlover » April 12th, 2019[/size]

I like that they are speaking of the the oil & gas law & can see the importance/need to pass imo.

[size=18]Samson » April 12th, 2019

Deputy for the conquest: passing the law of oil and gas stop claims to form regions[/size]

11th April, 2019

A member of the House of Representatives in the alliance of conquest, Abdul Hadi Mohan, on Thursday, the existence of many problems and crises in Iraq to the delay of the adoption of the oil and gas law.

"The reasons for raising a lot of problems in the country are due to the delay in approving the oil and gas law so far," Mohan said in a statement issued by Nass on April 11, 2019. "The lack of approval leads to the continuation of these problems."

Mohan stressed the need to "there will be a national will by all political blocs to pass the law of oil and gas as the adoption will ensure that the provinces are not required to form regions." LINK

[size=18]The Iraqi Exhibition in Kuwait[/size]

2019/4/11 21:09

Within the framework of cultural cooperation between Kuwait and Iraq, the Iraqi Embassy in Kuwait held the historic exhibition "Mesopotamia ... Cultural Heritage", in cooperation with the Kuwaiti researcher Dr. Hassan Ashkani.

Ambassador Alaa Al Hashimi opened the exhibition in the presence of a number of Kuwaiti diplomats and dignitaries. The ambassador said that the exhibition is part of cultural agreements between Iraq and Kuwait and will be activated as it will start with an Iraqi cultural week in Kuwait embodying Iraq's culture, arts and history as well as cultural events.

Kuwaiti in Iraq, to highlight the cognitive and cultural aspects of Kuwait, in order to be recognized by the Iraqi public. LINK

I discussed with Christopher Wilson, Assistant #US Trade Representative to #Europe and the #Middle_East, Iraq's accession to @wto , enhancing trade between our countries, & continue cooperation to achieve economic growth in #Iraq . @IraqiGovt@USEmbBaghdad

[size=18]Clare » April 12th, 2019[/size]

WTO ... GREAT!! (thumbs up)

[size=18]Iobey777 » April 12th, 2019[/size]

Hmm!! Very interesting!! So...has Iraq been accepted into the WTO and this is an announcement of such? It certainly seems to be!

[size=18]Samson » April 12th, 2019

Trade signed a joint document with the Kurdistan region to complete the files of Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization[/size]

12th April,2019

The Ministry of Commerce signed a joint memorandum with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the Kurdistan region during a workshop in Erbil on the files to be completed for Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as the need to continue to communicate to resolve any problems that occur between the Center and the region.

The representative of the delegation of the central government, Assistant Director General of the Department of Private Sector Development Musab Osama at the opening of the workshop, that "Iraq is a federal state and Iraq's economic interest is one interest, there is no difference between Baghdad and Erbil and Basra," adding that the organization of business and standardization of views on the files of the WTO The world will have a great impact on everyone without a difference."

The workshop, which was held in Arbil under the auspices of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the region in the framework of the Ministry of Commerce seeks to organize and unify the views on the files of Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) between the central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

The workshop included a full presentation on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the files that Iraq must complete to be a WTO member followed by bilateral meetings between representatives of ministries in the Government of the Center and their counterparts in the Government of the Region. LINK

[size=18]Don961 » April 12th, 2019

Armed factions control Iraq's ports and seize 45 billion dollars a year[/size]

Thursday, 11 April 2019

Baghdad - Writings

$ 45 billion in annual revenue from outlets that the Iraqi government knows nothing about and can not control or dispose of.

Shocking statements by Haidar al-Mulla, a leader of the National Coalition, in a statement on Thursday, April 11, 2019, revealing that he has 100% confidence, confirms that Iraq controls only 10% of the total revenues of outlets, which amounts to 50 billion dollars annually and subject to examination Only 5 billion.

Mullah said that those who object to his statements, he must declare the fact that certain armed factions affiliated to the parties in force in Iraq to the ports by force of arms, which requires urgent intervention by the state to limit the arms and tighten security to ensure the security of Iraqis. link

[size=18]Samson » April 12th, 2019

Oil exceeds $ 71 a barrel[/size]

2019/4/12 9:59

Oil prices rose on Friday, supported by ongoing OPEC-led supply cuts and US sanctions on oil exports from Iran and Venezuela.

Brent crude futures were $ 71.07 a barrel, up 18 cents, or 0.3 percent, from the previous close. Futures for the West Texas Intermediate crude was $ 63.84 a barrel, up 26 cents, or 0.4 percent, from the previous settlement price.

"We expect Brent crude and WTI crude to average $ 75 a barrel and $ 67 a barrel respectively over the remainder of this year, but the risks are more bullish," RBC Capital Markets said in a note. "The rising waves fueled by geopolitical factors could drive prices towards $ 80 a barrel or even break this level for intermittent periods this summer," the Canadian bank said.

Oil markets have surged more than a third this year thanks to OPEC-led supply cuts, US sanctions on Iran and Venezuela for crude, and escalating fighting in Libya. Venezuela's output is falling with US sanctions added to a deep economic and political crisis, with the US government expected to tighten oil sanctions on Iran in May. LINK

"The Fed's Charter" - Tues. AM TNT Thoughts/News Links 9/18/18

TNT

Red:
The federal reserve has lost its charter and as of this week can no longer operate in the USA, all of their banks will convert or go out of the USA….

Briona:
I heard the Fed has lost it's charter a couple years ago, yet they still seemed to be operating as usual.

Red:
The charter expired a few years back and was not renewed , this current administration is enforcing the laws and our own Treasury will now be in full control of our US dollars…. the banks are not happy, but will comply one way or the other. credit card companies are the next to go through the wringer and be cleansed ...

if the news doesnt cheer you up put it on a back burner , someday you might revisit it...

banks are getting eager to get your money but this week the Federal Reserve license was revoked, they are out of business in the US Dollar in the USA, our Treasure is now in full control. Some of the large Fed banks are not too happy..... Our USA banks are being cleansed and stabilized to receive our RV funds without fear of theft from them...

Rei:
Red, if they accomplish that, they will have to shut all the banks down!

Red:
not shut but cleansed them up ...

Briona:
They are going to need industrial strength cleanser to cleanse the banking system, as they have decades of bad actions to clean up.

OKRocks:
#Iraq 1 hour ago Leader of #Iraq’s Badr Organization Hadi al-Amiri withdrew his candidacy for prime minister on Tuesday, putting the country one step closer to forming a government after months of political stagnation

Lahur Talabany Verified account @LahurTalabany - Great seeing @brett_mcgurk, #US Amb. Silliman @USAmbIraq & CG Fagin @USConGenErbil to discuss #Iraqi gov't formation & the need for a concentrated effort to ensure a gov't that is inclusive & unifying to serve the people. #TwitterKurds #Iraq #Kurdistan

Harambe:
CNBC: Trade war could become currency war depending on how China fights back
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/17/trade-war-could-become-currency-war-depending-on-how-china-fights-back.html

Harambe:
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy: The Smart Way to Sanction Iranian-Backed Militias in Iraq (9/17/18)
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/the-smart-way-to-sanction-iranian-backed-militias-in-iraq
Timing is everything, so Washington should coordinate its designations with Baghdad to avoid upsetting the government formation process or throwing Iran a lifeline.

US says 'mother of all bombs' hits ISIL in Afghanistan

Central Command says largest US non-nuclear bomb used in combat dropped on ISIL caves and bunkers in country's east.

The US has dropped the largest non-nuclear bomb it has ever used in combat in eastern Afghanistan on a series of caves used by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, according to the Pentagon.
The GBU-43 bomb was dropped on Thursday from a MC-130 aircraft in the Achin district of Nangarhar province, close to the border with Pakistan, said Adam Stump, a Pentagon spokesperson.

Also known as the "mother of all bombs", the GBU-43 is a 9,797kg GPS-guided munition and was first tested in March 2003, just days before the start of the Iraq war.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strike was designed to minimise the risk to Afghan and US forces conducting clearing operations in the area.

But the ultra-heavy explosive - equal to 11 tonnes of TNT with a blast radius of 1.6km on each side - could potentially cause many civilian casualties.

'Towering flames'

The non-nuclear bomb killed at least 36 fighters and destroyed a deep tunnel complex of ISIL, Afghan officials said on Friday while ruling out any civilian casualties.

"As a result of the bombing, key Daesh [ISIL] hideouts and deep tunnel complex were destroyed and 36 IS fighters were killed," the Afghan defence ministry said.

The bomb landed in the Momand Dara area of Achin district, according to Esmail Shinwari, the local governor.

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U.S. Central Command

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[ltr].@USFOR_A #US Forces targets ISIS-K stronghold, drops GBU-43 #MOAB bomb on #ISIS[/ltr]

"The explosion was the biggest I have ever seen. Towering flames engulfed the area," Shinwari told AFP news agency.

An Afghan armed opposition source told AFP news agency from an undisclosed location that local residents had described the ground shaking "like an earthquake", with people being knocked unconscious by the blast.

"People have started leaving the area fearing more bombings," he said.
Another armed opposition source told AFP that 800 to 1,000 ISIL fighters were believed to be hiding in the area.

'Right munition'

General John Nicholson, head of US and international forces in Afghanistan, said the bomb was used against caves and bunkers used by ISIL in Afghanistan, also known as ISIS-K.

"As ISIS-K losses have mounted, they are using IEDs, bunkers and tunnels to thicken their defence, he said.

"This is the right munition to reduce these obstacles and maintain the momentum of our offensive against ISIS-K".
ISIL's offshoot in Afghanistan, created in 2015, is also known as the Khorasan Province.

READ MORE: On the front line of Afghanistan's battle with ISIL

Mark Kimmitt, a retired brigadier-general in the US army and former deputy assistant secretary of defence, played down the use of the GBU-43, saying it is "just another tool the military has".

"It allows us to go after deeply buried and hardened structures. It's good use against tunnels and it's also good use because it's going to set off IEDs in the area," he told Al Jazeera.
Kimmitt said it was not at all certain that "political authorities" were informed of the raid before it was carried out.
"Although the size of the bomb was a bit larger than normal, it was a routine military mission against a routine military target," he said.

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The White House would not confirm whether or not President Donald Trump had authorised the use of the bomb.

"Everybody knows exactly what happened and what I do is I authorise my military," Trump told reporters.

"We have the greatest military in the world and they've done their job as usual. So, we have given them total authorisation."

US officials say intelligence suggests ISIL is based overwhelmingly in Nangarhar and neighbouring Kunar province, among tens of thousands of civilians.

ISIL strength

Estimates of ISIL's strength in Afghanistan vary.
US officials have said they believe the group has only 700 fighters, but Afghan officials estimate there are closer to 1,500 in the country.

Western and Afghan security officials believe fighters frequently switch allegiances between armed groups, making it difficult to know who is to blame for violence.

Peter Galbraith, a former US diplomat and former UN deputy special representative for Afghanistan, said ISIL would have to be targeted in different locations for the US military strategy to succeed.

"ISIL doesn't concentrate its forces ... so you have to target it in many different places," he told Al Jazeera.
He said conditions for military operations in ISIL's Syrian and Iraqi strongholds, Raqqa and Mosul, are different, as they are urban areas with civilian populations.
"A bomb of this magnitude could cause a lot of collateral damage," Galbraith said.
"But when you're using it in a remote, rural part of Nangarhar province in Afghanistan, you presumably can have some confidence that you'll not have civilian casualties, or at least not many of them."

ISIL recruiting and brainwashing Afghan children

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies