DAMASCUS - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitor group, on Tuesday confirmed the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Islamic State (IS).
“There is confirmed information” that al-Baghdadi has been killed, said the group, which has emerged as the main opposition source of information throughout Syria’s long-running conflict.
However, it did not provide more details about the death of the IS leader, who made only one public appearance in 2014 when he declared in Mosul, Iraq the establishment of Islamic State.
Quoting a brief statement issued by IS media, Iraqi news agency al-Sumaria News on Tuesday also reported that the militant group has confirmed the death of al-Baghdadi.
“Daesh organization (IS group) circulated a brief statement through its media in the (IS-held) town of Tal Afar in the west of Mosul, confirming the killing of its leader al-Baghdadi without giving further details,” the report said. The IS statement also said that it will name a new caliph (Islamic top leader) soon. Rumors of al-Baghdadi’s death have appeared several times recently. (Xinhua)