Daily Times

WASHINGTON – The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States has marked the anniversary of the killing of Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden by live-tweeting, witha five-year delay,the May 1, 2011 operation conducted by the US special forces.

The CIA twitter account said that the step-by-step tweets would represent the raid at Osama’s Abbottabadcompound in Pakistan as if it were happening today.Here are some of the tweets posted as the CIA recounted the helicopter landing, the famous situation room photo and the positive ID:

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“The takedown of Osama bin Laden stands as one of the great intelligence successes of all time. History has been a key element of CIA’s social media efforts,” CIA spokesman Ryan Trapani said. “On the fifth anniversary, it is appropriate to remember the day and honour all those who had a hand in this achievement,” he said.

He noted that the American intelligence agency has done postings to mark other historical events, including the Glomar operation, Argo, U-2 shootdown, and the evacuation of Saigon.Using the hashtag #UBLRaid, the CIA blasted out updates of the May 2011 strike as if it was unfolding in real time – ina highly unusual move for the secretive spy agency.

“To mark the fifth anniversary of the Osama operation in Abbottabad we will tweet the raid as if it were happening today,” @CIA said in announcing its social media blitz.Tweets included the now famous picture of US President Barack Obama and other high-ranking American officials watching matters unfold from the White House’s Situation Room. “1:51pm EDT – Helicoptersdepart from Afghanistan for compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan,” read one tweet.

“3:30pm EDT – 2helicopters descend on compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. 1 crashes, but assault continues without delay or injury,” read another.That was followed just minutes later by: “3:39pm EDT – Osama bin Ladin found on third floor and killed. “Watching the relive on Twitter reminds me of how proud I am of the men and women who do what they do. Thank you,”tweeted Toby Knapp.

– CIAfocuson al-Baghdadi –

With 1.33 million Twitter followers, the Central Intelligence Agency has sent 1,662 tweets since it joined the social media service in February 2014. “We are the nation’s first line of defence. We accomplish what others cannot accomplish and go where others cannot go,” reads the Twitter bio.Previous @CIA tweets in recent days have featured a video about the Chernobyl nuclear accident in Ukraine and a counterfeit Nazi stamp.

Amid the tweetstorm, CIA chief John Brennan said that taking out the head of the Islamic State group would have a great impact.He also warned that the AlQaeda remained a threat, and that IS was not just an organisation but a phenomenon. “We have destroyed a large part of AlQaeda. It’s not completely eliminated. So we have to stay focused on what it can do,” Brennan told NBC’s Meet the Press talk show.

“Now, with the new phenomenon of (IS), this is going to challenge us for years to come,” he added.Asked if removing IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi from action was as important as Osama get, Brennan, who does not often do interviews, was direct. “If we got Baghdadi, I think it would have a great impact on the organisation. And it will be felt by them,” he said.