The US Defence Department has released footage of the raid leading to the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.

Grainy black and white videos show American forces approaching the compound in Syria.

General Frank McKenzie, head of the United States Central Command said special forces found Baghdadi “hiding in a tunnel.”

He said the ISIS leader killed himself and two young children instead of surrendering.

“When capture at the hands of US forces was imminent, Baghdadi detonated a bomb he wore, killing himself and two young children that were with him,” he said.

“We originally thought there were three children with him.”

"...at the compound, fighters from two locations in the vicinity of the compound began firing on U.S. aircraft participating in the assault."
- Gen Frank McKenzie CDR USCENTCOM pic.twitter.com/SkrtHNDs7w

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 30, 2019

Four women and a man were killed by US forces after they “did not respond to requests in Arabic to surrender.”

General McKenzie said they were Islamic State members and “presented a threat to the force.”

The videos show a huge plume of smoke coming from the compound after it was destroyed.

"Here we see the object of the assault-the compound where Baghdadi was hiding. As I noted earlier, this isolated compound was in Idlib province in Northwest Syria" - Gen Frank McKenzie CDR USCENTCOM pic.twitter.com/VwxRJMN0rS

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 30, 2019

“After Baghdadi's murder-suicide, our assault force cleared significant debris from the tunnel and secured Baghdadi's remains for identity confirmation," General McKenzie said.

“Baghdadi's remains were buried at sea in accordance with the law of armed conflict within 24 hours of his death.

“The assault force secured whatever documentation and electronics we could find, which was substantial.”

Non-combatants, including 11 children, were “detained and later released,” he said.