Islamic State confirms its leader was killed in Syria, names new chief
- New Isis leader named after last leader was killed in a US military operation in northwestern Syria last month
- Isis has been declared militarily defeated in Iran and Syria, but remains active and has unleashed attacks there
The Islamic State group confirmed the death of its leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, more than a month after his demise, and named Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi as his successor.
Little is known about the new leader, who will serve as the jihadist group’s third chief since its inception.
Isis personnel have “pledged allegiance” to “Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi as an emir over believers and the caliph of Muslims,” the group’s spokesperson said in an audio recording released on its social media channels on Thursday.
The recording confirmed the death of the former Isis chief along with the group’s ex-spokesman.
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Isis leader, family, killed in suicide blast during US special forces raid on Syrian hideaway
“Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi and the official Islamic State group spokesman … Abu Hamza al-Qurayshi … were killed in recent days,” said the new spokesperson, identified as Abu-Omar al-Muhajjir.