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.
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.
Hajji Abdullah, who blew himself up in a US Special Forces raid in northwest Syria on February 2, had selected Abu al-Hassan as his successor prior to his own death, IS said in the statement.
The group did not confirm the circumstances of Hajji Abdullah’s death, saying only that he and spokesperson Abu Hamza al-Qurashi died while fighting.
