The leader of Islamic State Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has been killed in Syria during a raid by United States forces.

US President Donald Trump has confirmed in a televised address the ISIL leader was fleeing attack dogs when he was cornered in a tunnel in the Idlib region in north-west Syria.

He then killed himself and three of his children by detonating a suicide vest.

It’s a major victory for President Trump after he was heavily criticised for withdrawing US troops from Syria.

Last night, the United States brought the world’s number one terrorist leader to justice. President @realDonaldTrump addresses the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the founder and leader of ISIS. Full remarks: https://t.co/3ucibNVOU8 | More: https://t.co/b4fBx9qyY6 pic.twitter.com/odrheyNRtc

— Department of State (@StateDept) October 27, 2019

“Last night the United States brought the world’s number one terrorist leader to justice,” said President Trump.

“The thug who tried so hard to intimidate others spent his last moments in utter fear, panic and dread, terrified of the American forces coming down on him.”

Counter-terrorism and international relations expert at Deakin University Professor Greg Barton tells Steve Price it’s a huge blow to Islamic State.

“It’s really important, it was not just Baghdadi that was taken up but also his number two, the IS spokesman al-Muhajir, who was in a separate location also in north-western Syria.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview