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Donald Trump honors hero dog Conan that cornered IS leader al-Baghdadi; White House struggles to confirm its gender

The dog reportedly cornered the terrorist in a dead-end tunnel where he blew himself up along with three kids. Conan was also injured in the process.

The identity of the dog that nailed Islamic State (IS) Abu Bakr al Baghdadi in a confinement in Idlib, Syria, last month was initially kept hidden. However, on Monday, November 25, the dog — a Belgian Malinois — received a hero’s welcome at the White House as President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and First Lady Melania Trump showcased him for the media. The dog, named Conan, was presented along with his handlers an award and plaque. 

Trump, who saw the mission to eliminate the IS leader in a night mission on October 26 from White House real time, praised the dog saying: “Conan did a fantastic job. This is the ultimate fighter, ultimate everything.” Pence was seen scratching the animal behind its ears. Trump had revealed the dog’s physical identity soon after the operation in Syria was completed while the authorities waited for it to recover.

A member of the Army Delta Force, Conan was injured during the raid in which he chased al-Baghdadi to a dead-end tunnel. There, the terror head detonated his suicide vest that also killed the three children he had held hostage. Conan also suffered injuries though he looked healthy at the White House while the president spoke.

“It was a flawless attack, and al-Baghdadi is gone. We just gave Conan and medal and a plaque. I actually think Conan knew exactly what was going on. We’re very honored to have Conan here,” Trump added. He also jokingly warned the reporters that they would be “attacked” if they opened their mouths. The dog’s Special Forces handlers did not appear before the people.

Pence spoke about Trump’s decision to give the nod for raiding the IS leader that saw his elimination that was similar to the killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Pakistan’s Abbottabad in May 2011. The president said Conan was not retiring any time soon. “They’re incredible animals,” he added.

Conan male or female? White House looks confused

But as controversy is never far away from the Trump presidency, there was one on Monday as well around Conan. Even as Trump repeatedly called the dog a male one, the White House went forth and back on the subject. It first contradicted the president saying Conan is a female. And when the media outlets started believing it to be true, the White House took a U-turn and confirmed to the reporters that Conan is actually a male.