The IS terror group has declared a new leader after confirming the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
In audio released by the IS central media arm al-Furqan Foundation, a new spokesman for IS identifies the successor as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi - tracing his lineage, like al-Baghdadi, to the Prophet Mohammed's Quraysh tribe.
It provided no other details about al-Qurayshi and it was not immediately clear who the name was in reference to.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is displayed on a monitor as General McKenzie speaks at a joint press briefing at the Pentagon. Source: AP
The group typically identifies its leaders using noms de guerre that refer to their tribal affiliation and lineage. Those names often change.
The speaker in the audio also confirmed the death of Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, a close aide of al-Baghdadi and a spokesman for the group since 2016.
Al-Muhajir was killed in a joint US operation with Kurdish forces in Jarablus in northern Syria on Sunday, hours after al-Baghdadi blew himself up during a US raid in Syria's northwest Idlib province.
The killings were a double blow to the extremist group, nearly seven months after its territorial defeat in Syria.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi blew himself up during a Delta Force raid. Source: AAP
The new spokesman, named Abu Hamza al-Qurayshi, urged followers to pledge allegiance to the new Caliph and warned Americans "don't rejoice".
The new Caliph is identified as a scholar, a well-known warrior and "emir of war" who has battled American forces and knows "its wars".
"So don't rejoice America for the death of Sheik al-Baghdadi," the speaker said.
"Don't you know America that the state (IS) today is at the doorstep of Europe and is in Central Africa? It is also expanding and remaining from east to west."
Footage from a drone showing the compound of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi moments before a precision-guided strike following the US forces raid. Source: DVIDS
