The dog’s name is unknown. Given what is known, it is possible the canine that chased the leader of the jihadist group down a tunnel in northwest Syria is actually named Classified.
Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi – arguably one of the world’s most wanted men – died in a U.S. military raid last weekend.
President Trump has released a photo of the canine on Twitter – but we don’t have a name.
That’s remaining a secret because, living up to its hero reputation, the dog is back at work and in the field, serving the US military, which means its identity has to be protected.
But here’s what we do know about what appears to be either a very good boy or girl.
The dog has been described as “beautiful” and “talented” by President Trump.
It was sent into a tunnel after al-Baghdadi during an early morning raid in Syria.
The president praised the dog for its heroism and said no armed forces were hurt when he announced the death of the IS leader on Sunday.
“They blasted their way in, and then all hell broke loose. It’s incredible nobody was killed. Or hurt. We had nobody even hurt,” he said.
“And that’s why the dog was so great.”
The dog was injured after the IS leader detonated a suicide vest, killing himself and his three children that he had been used as human shields.
President Trump said al-Baghdadi ran into a dead-end tunnel, “whimpering and crying and screaming”, while being chased by military dogs.
General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (a group that advises the President on defence matters) identified the breed as a Malinois and said the canine
Slightly wounded and fully recovering”, but that the dog “performed a tremendous service.”
The dog is a Belgian Malinois – and according to the American Kennel Club – they are strong, intelligent and can learn and perform different commands – which is useful for being in combat situations.
They are widely used by the military and police around the world to guide and protect troops, search for enemy forces and explosives because of their work ethic and intelligence.
To add to the heroic adventures of Belgian Malinois, this isn’t the first time a dog like this has joined the US military on a top secret mission.
A dog named Cairo famously helped US forces on the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.
Trump’s tweet declassifying – which is declaring it to no longer be secret – the picture of the dog caused an online reaction.
Twitter was quick to pay tribute about the declassifying of the picture, in its own way.
Declassed this picture of this little rascal who pinched a doughnut and wouldn’t let go #DeclassifiedDog pic.twitter.com/LpVyd68Umn
— Jeremy Skinner (@Logmedconsult) October 30, 2019
So i have decided to #DeclassifiedDog yes i found him in drain …. dog or not he still sniffs other dogs butts and eats other dogs poo … but his MY “Dog” so dont judge . pic.twitter.com/o35QaVLvY2
— Timo mac (@Timmay68274279) October 30, 2019
Here is my #DeclassifiedDog (name redacted), resting after a raid on local enemy squirrels. pic.twitter.com/JCNlgyGRKm
— Trish Duncan (@_ishtray) October 29, 2019
Declassifying this pic of of my dog Waffles. #DeclassifiedDog pic.twitter.com/2KHEshTumj
— Brian Fish (@FishBrianFish) October 28, 2019
I have declassified Mia’s picture. She specializes in stealth destruction. #DeclassifiedDog pic.twitter.com/SbluAsshzJ
— Kim Bourne🔗 (@reanyc596) October 28, 2019