The leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), Abu al-Hassan al-Hashmimi al-Qurayshi has been killed in a recent Special Forces operation.
This was made known by the terrorist group media spokesperson al-Furgan in an audio recording according to CNN on Tuesday.
Torireporters learned that the deceased leader was appointed in March this year following the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi in a military operation in the northwest of Syria.
“I announce and mourn for the Islamic State (ISIS) and the fighters of almighty Islamic State, (the absence) of the Amir of believers and the Calipha of the Muslims Abu al-Hasan al-Hashmi al-Qurayshi…he was killed while struggling against the enemies of God,” spokesman Abu Omar al-Muhajir said.
While the details of al-Qurayshi’s demise were not yet clear, the US National Security Council coordinator, John Kirby reacted to the news.
“We certainly welcome the news of the death of another ISIS leader. I don’t have any additional operational details to provide (at) this time. We’re still working our way through that,” Kirby said.
The CNN report said the group immediately announced Abu al-Husain al-Husaini al-Quraishi as its new leader.
Little is known about him, but the group described him as an “old fighter” without mentioning any further details