The statement reads as follows:
“Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead.
“At this watershed moment in the battle against terrorism, we thank the special operation forces who carried out the mission and the thousands of men and women who have led the fight against ISIS.
“We think of Hoosier Marine Jordan Spears and his family, who represent the great sacrifice by many of our nation’s finest, and their families, to defeat ISIS.
“We also remember Hoosier Peter Kassig and his family, who represent the unspeakable human toll that ISIS’ top leader brought to our fellow American citizens and their families, and to countless innocent men, women and children.
“Americans, all of them, none to be forgotten. Semper Fidelis.”
Al-Baghdadi reportedly blew himself up during a US Special Forces Military raid in Northwest Syria.
Spears was killed in action in 2014 during a mission and Kassig was executed in 2014 on video.
