'Islamic State' confirms al-Baghdadi's death, names new successor

The "Islamic State" (IS) confirmed the death of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in a statement Thursday (October 31) and named Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi as his successor.

Al-Baghdadi, who had led IS since 2014 and was the world's most wanted man, was killed in a raid by US special forces in Idlib Province, Syria, October 26.

IS confirmed the killing in another raid the following day of the group's previous spokesman, Abu Hassan al-Muhajir.

The insurgent group's legislative and consultative body convened after the 48-year-old Iraqi-born insurgent chief's death, according to the statement.

"The Islamic State shura council convened immediately after confirming the martyrdom of Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and the elders of the holy warriors agreed" on a replacement, said the seven-minute message.

The IS spokesman also issued a stark warning to the United States, warning its supporters would avenge al-Baghdadi's death.

Obscure successor

Little is known about al-Hashimi, who was seldom mentioned as a possible successor after the multiple false reports of al-Baghdadi's death in recent years.

"We don't know much about him except that he is the leading judge of IS and he heads the Sharia (Islamic law) committee," said Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi analyst of IS.

The US military Wednesday (October 30) released imagery, shown here, of the raid by its special forces on al-Baghdadi's compound.

Also reported Wednesday was that the informant who provided crucial details on the movements of al-Baghdadi is likely to scoop up some or all of a $25 million reward.