THE HAGUE, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The death of Islamic State (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was welcomed by the government of the Netherlands on Monday.
The death of the IS leader "is good news for the many victims of their terror, but also for the security of Europe and the Netherlands," Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Stef Blok told local media, adding "The threat from IS is not over yet. That is why the Netherlands continues to contribute to the fight and to justice."
Ank Bijleveld, Dutch minister of defense, said: "After IS was defeated militarily by the anti-IS coalition at the beginning of this year, the snake's head is now also gone."
Talking to local media, she called al-Baghdadi's death "another milestone in the fight against IS to which our men and women have made an important contribution for years. The struggle continues to prevent a return."
United States President Donald Trump on Sunday announced the death of al-Baghdadi. The IS leader killed himself by igniting a suicide vest during a U.S. military operation on Saturday night in northwest Syria.
