IS announces leader’s death and names replacement
Islamic State (IS) has announced the death of its leader, Abu al-Hassan al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi and named his replacement as Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurayshi – another apparent nom-de-guerre.
The spokesman did not reveal the new leader’s name, nationality or background.
In an audio message, the jihadist group’s spokesman said he was killed while fighting what he called “the enemies of God”, but he gave no further details.
The US said he was killed in an operation by the rebel Free Syrian Army in south-west Syria in mid-October.
He became the group’s leader in March, after his predecessor blew himself up during a raid by US forces in north-west Syria.
