Islamic State confirms death of its leader, names replacement

hashimi

An undated file image shows IS leader Amir Mohammed Said Abd al-Rahman al-Mawla -- aka Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi. PHOTO | AFP

Islamic State on Thursday confirmed the death of its leader Abu Hussein al-Husseini al-Quraishi and named Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Quraishi as his replacement, the group's spokesperson said in an undated recording published on its Telegram channel.

It appeared to be the militant group's first official announcement on his fate since Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said in April that Turkish intelligence forces had killed him in Syria.