BREAKING: Al-Qurashi, Not Qardash, Is New ISIS Leader

The Islamic State jihadist group has named Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi as it new leader, contrary to earlier reports that the group had appointed Abdullah Qardash to replace Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The group’s erstwhile leader, Al-Baghdadi, had recently killed himself when officials of the U.S Delta Force raided his hideout in Barisha, Idlib province, in Syria.

“We mourn you…commander of the faithful,” an audio statement read by Abu Hamza al-Quraishi, presented as the jihadist group’s spokesman, said.

The audio statement makes it the first time ISIS would be acknowledging al-Baghdadi’s death since U.S President, Donald Trump,  announced the news last Saturday.

Al-Baghdadi had detonated a suicide vest he was putting on, killing himself and three children in the process.

Earlier reports had suggested that Qardash was to take over as leader of the deadly terrorist organization.

He was said to have been running the day-to-day activities of ISIS before al-Baghdadi’s demise.