ISIS confirms the death of its leader and announces his successor
The jihadist group Islamic State, ISIS, has announced the death of its leader Abu Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi.
An audio message from the group’s spokesman indicates that he was killed in battle with the enemies of God, but did not provide further details.
The United States said he was killed in mid-October in an operation by the Free Syrian Army in southwestern Syria.
He assumed leadership of the group in March after his predecessor blew himself up during a raid by American forces in northwestern Syria.
The spokesman named Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi as the successor to the previous ISIS leader, which seems to be his nom de guerre.
The spokesman refrained from disclosing the real name, nationality, or background of this new commander.
He introduced Abu al-Hussein as one of the seasoned mujahideen and urged the group’s supporters to pledge allegiance to him.