BBC News : The chief spokesman for so-called Islamic State (IS) has been killed in Syria, IS-affiliated media say.
In a statement distributed by the group’s supporters, Amaq News Agency reported that Abu Muhammad al-Adnani died in the city of Aleppo.
The group announced that he was “martyred while overseeing operations to counter the military offensives in Aleppo.”
Adnani was primarily known for inciting lone-wolf attacks in Western countries and his uncompromising rhetoric.
He is also believed to have orchestrated attacks in Europe and other regions.
The circumstances of his death, whether by ground forces or an airstrike, remain unclear.
Adnani had a $5 million (£3.82 million) US bounty on his head.
His last known audio message was in May, where he encouraged Muslims to carry out attacks in the West.
Syrian-born Adnani was one of the jihadist group’s longest-serving and most senior officials.
US officials say that Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, born Taha Sobhi Falaha in the Syrian town of Banash in 1977, was among the early foreign fighters to oppose the presence of US-led forces in Iraq following the 2003 invasion. Reports indicate his death in Aleppo, Syria, marking a significant setback for ISIS due to his influential role in spreading their propaganda and recruiting new members. The circumstances surrounding his demise, whether in combat or through targeted operations, have not been revealed. Nevertheless, his loss is expected to have consequences for ISIS’s activities and messaging, although the full extent of its impact remains uncertain.
Reports confirm
that Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, the prominent spokesperson of the Islamic State (ISIS), has been killed in Aleppo, Syria. Al-Adnani played a pivotal role in spreading extremist ideology, recruiting followers, and disseminating propaganda for the group. His demise deals a significant blow to ISIS, given his high profile and influence. The details surrounding his death, whether in combat or through targeted operations, have not been revealed. The loss of al-Adnani is expected to have repercussions on the group’s operations and messaging, although the full extent of its impact remains to be seen.