The Islamic State (IS) group has confirmed the death of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and named his successor, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi, who is now the new leader and “caliph”.
US special forces tracked down Baghdadi in north-west Syria at the weekend and attacked his compound.
The IS leader fled into a tunnel and killed himself with a suicide vest.
In an audio message, IS also confirmed the death of spokesman Abu al-Hasan al-Muhajir – who was killed in a separate joint US-Kurdish operation on 27 October.
Who is Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi?
Little is known about al-Baghdadi’s successor though his title indicates that he claims descent from the tribe of Prophet Muhammad.
