A security advisor within al-Baghdadi’s inner circle is credited with passing key intelligence details to Kurdish forces that lead to the successful operation. Gen. Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces shared that the source provided a room-by-room layout of Baghdadi’s compound, including the number of guards, tunnels and floor-plan. This information proved valuable in planning and execution of the operation.
President Trump acknowledged Kurdish role in the operation, however that acknowledgement did not soothe Kurdish discontent resulting from Trump’s decision to withdraw US forces.