Baghdadi's killing unveils links between Ankara and ISIS

US President Donald Trump's declaration of the death of the ISIS caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has raised questions about relations between the radical organization and Ankara, despite Trump's announcement that Turkey played a role in Baghdadi's killing.

On October 27, Trump said Russia and Turkey were instrumental in his country's success in killing Baghdadi. However, Moscow denied playing any role in this regard.

Safe Zone

Trump's announcement coincided with an agreement between the US and Turkey for the creation of a safe zone in northern Syria. This was probably the reason why Ankara cooperated with Washington in the fight against terrorism.

In 2017, Egyptian security expert Khaled Okasha referred to Turkey's sponsorship of ISIS.

He told the UAE newspaper, al-Ain, that Turkey had sponsored the terrorist organization since its founding.

"Turkey allowed ISIS terrorists to use its borders in crossing into Syria," Okasha said. "It also steered the organization to play a military role in separation from other militant factions in Syria."

Turkey had refused to be part of the international coalition against ISIS. The US sponsored the Kurds as a ground force against the terrorist group in reaction. This made Turkey angry and probably caused it to sponsor ISIS behind the curtains.

In March 2017, The New York Times revealed Turkish financial support to ISIS through the purchase of oil stolen by the terrorist group from Syria. Turkey also set up camps for the training of ISIS terrorists and then their distribution to battlefields in Syria.

Relations

Turkey, however, joined the international coalition against ISIS after Trump said the coalition had defeated the terrorist group.

Islamist affairs specialist Khalid al-Zaafarani said Baghdadi's killing would deal a painful blow to ISIS, given his centrality and symbolism in the organization.

"His killing proves that ISIS is no longer capable of protecting its outstanding commanders," Zaafarani said. "This means that ISIS will avoid carrying out major attacks in the future," he told The Reference.

He noted that Baghdadi's killing would open the door for the emergence of cracks within ISIS.

Zaafarani even expected over 75% of ISIS commanders to quit the organization.