Wife of Killed Isis Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Captured, Says Turkey

THE GUARDIAN: Erdoğan decries US for ‘communications campaign’ over jihadist’s death

A woman married to the slain Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been captured and is in Turkish custody, Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has said.

Erdoğan made the announcement during a speech in Ankara on Wednesday but did not provide any further details. “The United States said Baghdadi killed himself in a tunnel,” Erdogan said, criticising the US for a “communications campaign” over the jihadist’s death.

“But, I am announcing it here for the first time: we captured his wife and didn’t make a fuss like them. Similarly, we also captured his sister and brother-in-law in Syria.” » | Bethan McKernan in Istanbul | Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Analysis – US Targeted ISIL Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: US Officials

The United States has carried out an operation targeting Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL or ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have told news agencies. A US official told The Associated Press that the ISIL leader was targeted in Syria's Idlib province. Another US official confirmed to Reuters news agency that the operation took place but did not disclose details and did not say whether it was successful. Newsweek, citing a US Army official briefed on the result of the operation, said al-Baghdadi was killed in the raid. Al Jazeera's Natasha Ghoneim reports Al Jazeera's Zaina Khodr reports from Beirut Marwan Kablan is director of policy analysis at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies joins Al Jazeera from Doha.

Hunting Down IS Leader Should Be 'Top Priority': Clinton

Hillary Clinton calls for the United States to track down and kill Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as it did Osama Bin Laden, insisting her Republican rival Donald Trump has no plan to defeat the jihadists.

A Message to the Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

Former Muslim Brother Rachid sends a powerful message to the Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State. He asks him and his followers important questions concerning the Islamic State: What is a country? How are nations built? What are the borders of this state? What is its currency? Does it have any future among other nations?

Islam Explained »

Inside The Heart Of The IS Caliphate

ISIS' Leader Resurfaces in New Audio Message

It's more than half a year since the world heard from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the reclusive leader of ISIS. Jonathan Vigliotti reports on his latest message.

Islamic State Leader Baghdadi Goads West in Rare Audio Statement

THE TELEGRAPH: In what is believed to be his first public message in seven months, Isil chief warns Israel attacks are imminent

The leader of Islamic State has released an alternative Christmas message goading the West, saying [the] do not dare send troops to their territory.

In a rare audio statement - his first in seven months - Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi said Western countries have "learned from" previous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Crusaders and Jews don't dare to come on the ground because they were defeated in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said in his 23-minute statement.

The leader, who has rarely been pictured and has not been heard from since he was believed to have been injured in an airstrike by Iraqi forces in October, Russian or US-led airstrikes had failed to weaken the group, which was only "expanding and getting stronger".

"Be confident that God will grant victory to those who worship him, and hear the good news that our state is doing well. The more intense the war against it, the purer it becomes and the tougher it gets," he said.

He also called on Saudi citizens - the biggest contributor to Isil ranks - to "rise up" against their government as he dimissed the kingdom's newly formed Muslim coalition against the caliphate.

He also said Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) would soon be in Palestine to establish an Islamic state there. "Jews, soon you shall hear from us in Palestine which will become your grave," the voice, purporting to be Baghdadi, is heard saying. » | Josie Ensor | Saturday, December 26, 2015

Inside The Heart Of The IS Caliphate

The Head of the Snake: A look at the secretive leader of the Islamic State

Convoy Including ISIS Leader Hit by Airstrike, Iraq's Military Says

CNN: (CNN) – Iraq's military claims its air force struck a convoy in western Anbar province that included ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The fate of al-Baghdadi is unknown, the military statement said.

"The Iraqi airforce carried out a heroic operation by striking al-Baghdadi's convoy while he on his way to attend a meeting with senior ISIS leaders in Karabelah," the statement said.

The site of the meeting was also struck and several ISIS leaders were killed and wounded, the statement said. (+ video) » | Susanna Capelouto and Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN | Sunday, October 11, 2015

Yazidi Girl: I Was Enslaved by ISIS Leader

A young Yazidi woman tells CNN's Atika Shubert that she was handpicked by ISIS leader Abu Bakar Al Baghdadi, held captive and forced to serve his wives and children.

Isil Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'Releases Audio Message'

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isil, addresses his followers
in Mosul in July 2014 - his one and only public appearance

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Islamic State leader has not been seen or heard from in months, amid rumours of his death or severe injury in a US-led air strike

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil), appeared to urge Muslims to emigrate to his self-proclaimed “caliphate”, in what would be the jihadist leader’s first audio recording in six months.

“And we call upon every Muslim in every place to perform hijrah (emigration) to the Islamic State or fight in his land wherever that may be,” the voice, which cannot be verified as Baghdadi’s, said.

The recording calls Islam a “religion of war”, adding that “coexistence with Jews and Christians” is impossible. » | Louisa Loveluck, Cairo | Thursday, May 14, 2015

Related »

Alleged Audio of Al-Baghdadi Surfaces

Isis Leader Incapacitated with Suspected Spinal Injuries after Air Strike

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is being treated in hideout two months after attack while deputy leader Abu Alaa al-Afri runs terror group intent on revenge

Read the Guardian article here | Martin Chulov in Irbil | Friday, May 01, 2015

Der kurzsichtige Terrorfürst

TAGES ANZEIGER: IS-Chef al-Bagdadi verbreitet mit seiner Terrormiliz Angst und Schrecken: Deutsche Journalisten haben seine Vergangenheit durchstöbert – und Aussergewöhnliches gefunden.

Die Jihadisten-Miliz Islamischer Staat (IS) sorgt mit ihren Gräueltaten weltweit für Schlagzeilen, doch über ihren öffentlichkeitsscheuen Chef Abu Bakr al-Bagdadi ist wenig bekannt.

Einem Rechercheteam von «Süddeutscher Zeitung», WDR und NDR ist es nun nach eigenen Angaben gelungen, dank Dokumenten und Zeugenaussagen ein genaueres Bild des irakischen Jihadisten zu zeichnen. Wie die «SZ» am Donnerstag berichtete, war al-Bagdadi demnach schon früh machthungrig. Der «Weltspiegel extra» porträtierte den Terroristen. » | spu/AFP | Donnerstag, 19. Februar 2015

Wife and Child of Islamic State Leader Baghdadi Held in Lebanon

THE GUARDIAN: Arrest is described as ‘high-value catch’ and reportedly follows information provided by western intelligence agencies

The Lebanese army says it has detained the second wife of the Islamic State (Isis) leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and their eight-year-old son near the Syrian border.

The arrest reportedly took place in the past week and followed information provided by western intelligence agencies in the past fortnight.

Lebanese security officials described the woman as a “high-value catch” and said the identity of the boy was confirmed through DNA testing. If so, the revelation would support the claim of international involvement. The US and other states have samples of Baghdadi’s DNA from the nine months he spent in US custody in Iraq in 2004.

The British Foreign Office said it had nothing to add to the reports. » | Martin Chulov and agencies | Tuesday, December 02, 2014

Isis Leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi Calls on Followers to 'Erupt Volcanoes of Jihad Everywhere' in Newly Released Recording

THE INDEPENDENT: It is unclear when the recording was made, but whether he is alive or dead, wounded or healthy, the tone of the message was deliberately defiant and incendiary

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis, has purportedly issued a defiant call for followers to “erupt volcanoes of jihad everywhere”.

The 17-minute audio recording, in which he vowed to fight to the last man, was his first public statement since Iraqi officials reported he had been injured in air strikes last week.

In the recording, which appeared to be genuine but has still to be confirmed, the self-appointed “caliph” claimed the group now has bases in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Libya and Algeria.
Br /> He specifically called on Isis fighters to launch attacks in Saudi Arabia, particularly on its rulers, and in Yemen. A previous broadcast by al-Baghdadi is thought to have inspired militants in Algeria to kill and behead a Frenchman. » | Lewis Smith | Thursday, November 13, 2014

Islamic State Leader Baghdadi Reportedly Resurfaces after Claims US Strike Killed Him

THE GUARDIAN: Recording purporting to be of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi released after rumours he was injured or killed in air strike

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State (Isis), has apparently surfaced alive after he was rumoured to have been killed in a US air strike last week, calling for attacks in Saudi Arabia and for “volcanoes of jihad” across the world.

Baghdadi’s call, in a defiant speech purported to be in his name, claimed that the “crusader” US-led military campaign against Isis was failing. “America and its allies are terrified, weak, and powerless,” he said, repeatedly attacking “the Jews” and “apostate” and “treacherous” Muslim (Arab) leaders who feared the return of the Muslim faithful to the ways of the caliphate.

In a 17-minute audio tape released by al-Furqan media — a jihadi site — Baghdadi was described as “commander of the faithful” and “Caliph of the Muslims”. It was not immediately possible to determine the tape’s authenticity but the voice, articulation and tone all appeared close to his prior speech patterns.

“Oh soldiers of the Islamic State, continue to harvest the [enemy] soldiers,” the recording exhorted in a key passage. “Erupt volcanoes of jihad everywhere. Light the earth with fire under all the tyrants and their soldiers and supporters.” (+ video) » | Ian Black, Middle East editor | Thursday, November 13, 2014

Significance of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to ISIS

Nov. 10, 2014 - 2:38 - Insight from James Goldgeier, dean of the School of International Service at American University

Islamic State Leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi's Close Aide Killed in US Air Strike

Abu Suja, left, and Baghdadi were rarely separate,
according to an Iraqi security strategist

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: As speculation mounts over fate of Islamic State leader, it can be revealed that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's aide from whom he was 'rarely separate' killed in US air strike

A close aide of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in United States-led coalition air strike on a convoy of militants in Iraq, it can be revealed, amid mounting speculation that the leader of the Islamic State in the Levant was himself killed or injured in the attack.

Abdul Rahman al-Athaeri who went by the code name Abu Suja died when planes struck a convoy of Isil vehicles close to the northern city of Mosul on Friday night, killing him and several other members of the jihadist group.

There were contrasting reports about the fate of Baghdadi, with Isil members writing on Twitter that he was not in the convoy, and other sources claiming that he had been either killed or "critically injured". "I can't absolutely confirm that Baghdadi has been killed," said General Nicholas Houghton, Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces. "Probably it will take some days to have absolute confirmation."

Hisham al-Hashimi, an Iraqi security strategist, confirmed to The Telegraph that Abu Suja, "Baghdadi's very close companion", was killed in the air strike that destroyed at least 10 vehicles. » | Ruth Sherlock, Gaziantep and Magdy Samaan in Cairo | Sunday, November 09, 2014

Fate of IS Leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi Unknown after Airstrikes Target Him

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: The US-led coalition unleashed airstrikes near the Iraqi city of Mosul targeting top jihadist militants but the fate of the Islamic State group's enigmatic leader remained unclear.

Claims swirled that hardline IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi had been killed in the attacks late Friday, but US officials could not confirm if he had even been present.

The news came after US President Barack Obama unveiled plans to send up to 1500 more US troops to Iraq to help battle the militants who have seized a large swathe of territory.

In fresh violence, some 33 people were killed in a wave of car bombings against Shiite areas in the capital Baghdad, highlighting again the security challenge facing Iraqis even within government-controlled zones.

US Central Command confirmed that coalition aircraft conducted a "series of airstrikes" against "a gathering of ISIL leaders near Mosul".

A convoy of 10 armoured vehicles from the group also known as ISIL was destroyed.

"We cannot confirm if ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was among those present," CENTCOM spokesman Patrick Ryder said in his statement. » | AFP | Sunday, November 09, 2014