Top Islamic State Leader Killed During U.S. Raid
On October 26, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed during a nighttime raid by U.S. special forces. He was the leader of the jihadist group known as the Islamic state and was wanted for crimes of genocide, extortion and kidnapping by the international community. At its peak, the Islamic State under al-Baghdadi controlled areas from eastern Syria to western Iraq. They brutalized the people living in the region based on an extreme interpretation of Islamic law.
Instructors, click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for Top Islamic State Leader Killed During U.S. Raid
Links
“ISIL chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi killed in Syria, confirms Trump”
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/isil-chief-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-killed-syria-confirms-trump-191027132540524.html
“Trump Confirms ‘Islamic State’ leader al-Baghdadi killed in US operation”
https://www.dw.com/en/trump-confirms-islamic-state-leader-al-baghdadi-killed-in-us-operation/a-51007825
“Who was Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi?”
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50200392
“The killing of Baghdadi is not Trump’s to claim, and his Syria policy may yet breathe life back into Isis”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/abu-bakr-al-baghdadi-death-isis-trump-syria-iraq-policy-a9173501.html
“The Latest: Macron warns leader’s death not end of IS group”
https://www.apnews.com/272946aff72d47ffbd47ccf155dc28d6
“Netanyahu, Gantz congratulate US on raid that killed IS chief Baghdadi”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-gantz-congratulate-us-on-raid-that-killed-is-chief-baghdadi/
Assessment
- Writing: Under al-Baghdadi’s leadership, the Islamic State grew into one of the most brutal militant groups in the Middle East. Describe the historic events that led to the rise of the IS and include the extremist ideology that it supports.
- Debate: The death of al-Baghdadi is mostly symbolic. The Islamic State is still a threat to regional and world peace.
- Poll: Should the U.S. push its military advantage in IS-controlled-territory now that their leader has been killed?
- Short Answer: What does the death of al-Baghdadi mean for the Islamic State moving forward?
Enjoy using Lecture Spark? Answer this 5-question survey to help us innovate!
