Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Islamic State Group Announces Successor to Al-Baghdadi
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
October 31, 2019

Share

BEIRUT — The Islamic State group declared a new leader Thursday after it confirmed the death of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi days earlier in a U.S raid in Syria.
In its audio release by the IS central media arm, al-Furqan Foundation, a new spokesman for IS identifies the successor as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi — tracing his lineage, like al-Baghdadi, to the Prophet Muhammad’s Quraysh tribe.
It provided no other details about al-Qurayshi and it was not immediately clear who the name was in reference to. The group typically identifies its leaders using noms de guerre that refer to their tribal affiliation and lineage. Those names often change.
The speaker in the audio also confirmed the death of Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, a close aide of al-Baghdadi and a spokesman for the group since 2016.
Al-Muhajir was killed in a joint U.S. operation with Kurdish forces in Jarablus in northern Syria on Sunday, hours after al-Baghdadi blew himself up during a U.S. raid in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province.

Photo of a remotely piloted aircraft focused on the compound of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
This image from video released by the Department of Defense on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, and displayed at a Pentagon briefing, shows an image from a remotely piloted aircraft focused on the compound of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as it is destroyed after the raid on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (Department of Defense via AP)

The New Caliph Is Identified as a Scholar

The killings were a double blow to the extremist group, nearly seven months after its territorial defeat in Syria.
The new spokesman, named Abu Hamza al-Qurayshi, urged followers to pledge allegiance to the new Caliph and addressed the Americans, saying: “Don’t rejoice.”
“The Shura Council met immediately after confirming the martyrdom of Sheik Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The leaders of the Mujahedeen agreed after consultation with their brethren and acting according to the will (of al-Baghdadi) they pledged allegiance to Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi as the new leader of the Believers.”
The new Caliph is identified as a scholar, a well-known warrior and “emir of war” who has battled American forces and knows “its wars.”
“So don’t rejoice America for the death of Sheik al-Baghdadi,” the speaker said. “Don’t you know America that the state (IS) today is at the doorstep of Europe and is in Central Africa? It is also expanding and remaining from east to west.” The speaker was referencing the slogan IS used at the height of its successes: “Remaining and expanding.”

DON'T MISS

A Kamala Harris Quiz for Election Day

DON'T MISS

A Donald Trump Quiz for Election Day

DON'T MISS

CHP Car Struck by Drunk Driver While Investigating Another Crash

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Ejected From Car Dies Off McKinley Avenue

DON'T MISS

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

DON'T MISS

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

DON'T MISS

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

DON'T MISS

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

DON'T MISS

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

DON'T MISS

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

UP NEXT

Israel Ends Agreement With UN Agency Providing Aid in Gaza

UP NEXT

US Confirms Reports That Iran Arrested an Iranian-American Citizen

UP NEXT

Israel Says It Carried out Ground Raid Into Syria, Seizing a Syrian Citizen

UP NEXT

Russia’s Swift March Forward in Ukraine’s East

UP NEXT

North Korea’s Long-Range Missile Test Signals Its Improved, Potential Capability to Attack US

UP NEXT

Death Toll From Spanish Floods Climbs to 205 as Shock Turns to Anger and Frustration

UP NEXT

Visalia Rollerblader Suffered Major Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle

UP NEXT

Fresno County Man Indicted for Possessing Stolen Guns

UP NEXT

Nearly a Quarter of Lebanese Border Villages Destroyed in Israel’s Military Campaign

UP NEXT

Waves of Rocket Fire From Lebanon Hit Israel, Killing 7 in Deadliest Strikes Since Israeli Invasion

Fresno Man Ejected From Car Dies Off McKinley Avenue

12 hours ago

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

12 hours ago

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

14 hours ago

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

14 hours ago

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

14 hours ago

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

14 hours ago

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

15 hours ago

Some Republican-Led States Refuse to Let Justice Department Monitors Into Polling Places

15 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal NW Apartment Shooting

15 hours ago

Fresno Murder Suspect Stopped in Las Vegas, Others Wanted

15 hours ago

A Kamala Harris Quiz for Election Day

Kamala Harris could make history by becoming the first woman elected president of the United States. What do you know about her? Test your k...

9 mins ago

9 mins ago

A Kamala Harris Quiz for Election Day

trump
19 mins ago

A Donald Trump Quiz for Election Day

A driver suspected of DUI crashed into a parked California Highway Patrol car at a fatal crash scene in Fresno County, sustaining minor injuries and later being cited. (Fresno County SO)
11 hours ago

CHP Car Struck by Drunk Driver While Investigating Another Crash

fresno
12 hours ago

Fresno Man Ejected From Car Dies Off McKinley Avenue

12 hours ago

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP/Ashley Landis)
14 hours ago

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

Voters cast their ballots at Desert Breeze Community Center in Las Vegas during the last day of in-person early voting in Nevada on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Nearly 75 million people have cast early ballots, making their voices heard amid worry about the process, the outcome and democracy itself. (Bridget Bennett/The New York Times)
14 hours ago

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

14 hours ago

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

Search

Send this to a friend