Unverified reports attributed to Syrian television channels say ISIS chief, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was killed in an airstrike.
In 2014, Baghdadi took over Raqqa, and proclaimed the Islamic Caliphate with himself as its leader.
The Islamic State is not only known for unleashing unfathomable atrocities on people in Iraq and Syria, but has also claimed responsibility for terror attacks around the globe, the most recent being the London attack where seven were killed.
Also Read: ISIS Claims Hand in London Attack That Killed 7, 12 Arrested
Raqqa24, an independent local news platform, did report an airstrike in Raqqa on Saturday that killed at least seven civilians. Although there was no mention made of al-Baghdadi.
Baghdadi has a $25million bounty on his head. He had been believed to be hiding out in the desert outside Mosul in northern Iraq after fleeing Raqqa in March, the Independent reported.
Also Read: Abu Bakr and ISIS Are “Dogs From Hell”, Says Asaduddin Owaisi
Baghdadi himself has not released a recorded speech since early November, two weeks after the start of the Mosul battle, when he called on his followers to fight the "unbelievers" and "make their blood flow as rivers."
(With inputs from Reuters.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)