The top GOP representative on the House Armed Services Committee said the location of the raid that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi could indicate some cooperation between ISIS and al Qaeda.

Rep. Mac Thornberry William (Mac) McClellan ThornberryOvernight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds Democrats push to limit transfer of military-grade gear to police Trump payroll-tax deferral for federal workers sparks backlash MORE (R-Texas) said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that some people expressed surprise that al-Baghdadi was found near the town of Barisha in Syria because al Qaeda was known to be present in that area.

He said it’s possible the two terrorist organizations worked together.

ADVERTISEMENT

“What happens in some places is terrorist organizations that you think are rivals can actually cooperate in certain situations,” he said.

“Is that what happened here or you suspect it?” host Jake Tapper Jacob (Jake) Paul TapperThe media's misleading use of COVID-19 data Julia Louis-Dreyfus: 'We can't spend much time grieving' Ginsburg Pence aide dismisses concerns rushed vote on Trump nominee will hurt vulnerable senators MORE asked Thornberry.

“In that area, there were signs of al Qaeda and ISIS cooperating in a way we have not seen before,” the Republican representative responded.

Thornberry said he brought up that the area was known for being friendly to al Qaeda “to highlight the danger of terrorism” and caution that the U.S. is not done dealing with threats from these groups.

“We’re not done with this threat,” he said.

“This is a big deal,” he added referring to al-Baghdadi ‘s death. “But we’ve got to keep the pressure on.”

President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE confirmed Sunday the ISIS leader died after a U.S. raid pushed him to detonate a suicide vest.