the u.s. with the layout of baghdadi's compound and how it was guarded. he was even there when u.s. forces launched their daring raid and left with american special ops. >> in terms of the role of the syrian kurds in the baghdadi raid, they played a critical role in some of the human intelligence and information that helped us identify where this man was. so we could go get him. so i think they -- again, they played a key role in this, and we have to acknowledge that. >> reporter: for president trump, the kurds seemed to be an afterthought. >> this raid was impeccable. and could only have taken place with the acknowledgement and help of certain other nations and people. i want to thank the nations of russia, turkey, syria, and iraq. and i also want to thank the syrian kurds for certain support they were able to give us.