Hero dog back on the job after being wounded in al-Baghdadi raid

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A military working dog that was wounded while tracking down the head of so-called Islamic State is back on duty.

President Donald Trump tweeted a photo of a Belgian Malinois that he said worked with a team of special forces in the capture of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in a tunnel beneath a compound in north-eastern Syria.

The IS leader detonated a suicide vest in a tunnel as he was chased by US military dogs.

Three of al-Baghdadi's children were also killed in the blast.

Tweeting on Monday night, President Trump praised the dog for his key role in the hunt for al-Baghdadi.

"We have declassified a picture of the wonderful dog (name not declassified) that did such a GREAT JOB in capturing and killing the Leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi!" Mr Trump wrote.

The scene where the Islamic State leader died Credit: Ghaith Alsayed/AP

General Mark Milley told reporters on Monday that the animal “performed a tremendous service” in tracking down al-Baghdadi in a tunnel beneath his compound.

The General said the dog was recovering from its wound and had returned to duty at an undisclosed location.

Following al-Baghdadi 's death on Sunday, Mr Trump said: "He died after diving into a dead-end tunnel - whimpering and crying and screaming all the way," said Mr Trump."He had dragged three of his young children with him, they were led to certain death.

"He reached the end of the tunnel as our dogs chased him down.

"He ignited his vest, killing himself and the three children."

Speaking at the weekend, Mr Trump said the US had been "searching for Baghdadi for many years" and "capturing and killing" the IS leader had been his national security priority.

The president said tests on the remains confirmed it was al-Baghdadi, with DNA taken for "on-site tests."

Mr Trump said: "There were body parts, not much left, but there were substantial pieces."

It was confirmed through DNA that it was him about 15 minutes after the death.

President Trump said there were 11 children in the compound who were taken to safety and two women, who died.

"Both wives [of Baghdadi], both wearing vests, both are dead," he added.

The president said the US had al-Baghdadi under surveillance for several weeks and during the raid forces flew low and fast, and were met with gunfire at points.

The president said security officials were already aware of who would be in line to succeed al-Baghdadi and that "we already have them in our sights".