BEIRUT (Reuters) - The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been working for five months as part of a joint operation to eliminate Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, its commander said on Sunday.

“There has been intelligence work on the ground and precise tracking to eliminate the terrorist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi through a joint operation,” SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi said in a tweet. “We thank everyone who contributed in this great work,” he added tagging U.S. President Donald Trump.