ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi Reportedly Killed In Russian Airstrike


The Russian Defense Ministry earlier today said it is looking into reports about the possibility that the leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) was killed in a Russia-led airstrike in Syria, Russia Today reports. Incidentally, this is the second time in a week that we have received information about the possible death of Baghdadi in an air strike. Just a few days ago The Inquisitr reported the death of Baghdadi in another airstrike. At this time, we have no confirmation whether both these reported air raids were the same. The Russian Defense Ministry has in the meantime issued a statement regarding these airstrikes that reads;

“According to information that is being checked through various channels, IS leader Ibrahim Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was killed as a result of the strike, was also present at the meeting.”

According to Russian authorities, Baghdadi was present in an ISIS meeting held at the location where 30 other high-level leaders of the ISIS were also present. This is apart from more than 300 other ISIS fighters who were also killed in the air strike. The Russian Defense Ministry adds that the meeting was conducted to discuss ISIS’s future course of action as they continue to lose territory to advancing coalition forces. The airstrike involved a Russian Su-34 aircraft and a Su-35 multirole fighter.

This is however not the first time that we have had reports of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi being killed in airstrikes. Ever since he proclaimed himself as the “caliph” of Muslims around the globe, there have been several airstrikes targeted at him. However, none of the claims of Baghdadi’s death have been verified independently, and it is assumed that Baghdadi is still alive. It remains to be seen if the Russian Defense Ministry can furnish conclusive evidence that the news of Baghdadi is indeed true. According to initial reports, the airstrike that supposedly killed Baghdadi was conducted on May 28. The air raid was targeted at an unknown location near the southern outskirts of the Islamic State’s de facto capital city Raqqa which they have been controlling since 2014.

Baghdadi’s last public appearance was more than two years ago when he appeared in a chilling video and proclaimed himself as the caliph (leader) of Muslims around the world. However, since then ISIS has been continuously losing territory, and as of 2017, it is on the brink of losing ground in Raqqa and Mosul – two of the biggest cities under ISIS control since 2014. According to experts, Baghdadi is now living the life of a fugitive and fears that his own people could betray him for the $25 million reward that has been placed on his head by the U.S. Government.

[Featured Image By Militant AP Images]

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