Islamic State names new leader after prior chief's death

An audio statement from IS confirmed previous reports that Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi is its new leader, but his real identity and background is not clear.
Qurashi
Objects are set on fire around the house in which the leader of Islamic State (IS) group Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi died, in the town of Atme in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, on Feb. 3, 2022. - ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP via Getty Images
Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East
Al-Monitor Staff

The Islamic State group announced a new leader on Thursday, naming Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi as the organization’s new commander and calling on all followers to pledge allegiance.

An IS audio statement released today, but apparently recorded last month, named Abu al-Hassan as its caliph and confirmed the death of its prior head, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi – also known as Abdullah Qaradash or Hajji Abdullah.

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